Donor mom of 4 Codie proudly nourishes her own and others

“My husband is active duty in the military, and we are currently stationed in North Carolina. We have 4 children: Mason, 10, Harley, 6, Jasper, 5, and Wren, 1.

I became a stay-at-home mom to care for our family of six, after working as a hog farmer for most of my adult life. I have a passion for rare and exotic plants and have a massive collection, which is displayed throughout our home.

After our second baby, Harley, was born, a local mom told me about donating to Tiny Treasures, and that is when my first donation journey began. Six years and 2 babies later, I am now on my third donation journey! It's awesome to tell others about the impact I have on fragile babies through donation. Not many people know it's an option.

Donating has helped me maintain a strong supply to continue feeding my own babies for longer than I otherwise would have. It has also given us the wiggle room financially to do more with the kids and enjoy hobbies.

Initially, I struggled finding my rhythm with donation but have gotten much more comfortable and efficient with my process - everything from cleaning, sanitizing and collecting milk to where in the house I'll be pumping. After breastfeeding all 4 of my kids, I recently found the ideal pump and flange size, which has made a big difference in having a great experience this donation journey. Pumping doesn't feel like such a painful task when everything fits right!

My advice to other donors: Give yourself grace and always do what feels right for you and your family. Find a good lactation consultant who will positively support your decisions. Teach your husband how to clean parts and run the sterilizer.”

* Any views, opinions, findings, assertions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are solely those of the individual. The content is provided for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice.