KERI'S STORY
Support makes all the difference for breastfeeding mother

Keri Oujesky's first baby, Josi, was born with a heart condition and spent 10 weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Texas Children's Hospital. But with determination, dedication and a lot of help from Texas Children's Lactation Program and the Mother's Own Milk Bank, Keri was able to feed her breast milk.

After that learning experience, Keri is having an easy time breastfeeding her second baby, Luke.

"I never knew there was such a thing as a milk bank before Josi was born," Keri said. "But thanks to it and the help and encouragement of its staff, I was able to figure out how to pump and store breast milk for Josi," she said. "Now, breastfeeding Luke, who was born healthy, is no problem."

Texas Children's Mother's Own Milk Bank stores and prepares breast milk for hospitalized babies. A variety of support services are available to help mother's learn to pump or breastfeed to provide milk for their babies.

Josi, now 3, was born a month early. Although she weighed in at a healthy 6 pounds, 4 ounces, Josi was diagnosed with a heart condition soon after birth. Keri was able to attempt breastfeeding once before Josi was taken away to the NICU.

When Josi was five days old, she had heart surgery.

"Josi was all hooked up to wires, so we couldn't hold her or try to feed her," Keri said. "My husband heard about the Milk Bank, and I had no idea there even was such a thing."

By that time, Keri's milk was coming in. She went to the Milk Bank, where they gave her equipment, answered her questions and showed her how to pump.

"I didn't know anything about the mechanics of pumping, and it was a little awkward at first," Keri said. "But everyone was so encouraging and helpful and professional."

While Josi was in the hospital, Keri visited the Milk Bank every three hours.

"It made me feel better that I was doing something to help Josi," she said. "And when I was alone pumping in the quiet room, that was time I could reflect on everything and pray."

Breastfeeding Luke has been a different story.

"My experience with Texas Children's Milk Bank made breastfeeding him a breeze,” Keri said.