You may have had a lactation consultant, a nurse or your physician reference the breastmilk you are providing to your preterm baby as “Liquid Gold”. Research supports the importance to feeding your breastmilk to your baby during critical weeks while in the NICU. But did you know you can increase the level of some nutrients in your breastmilk by what you choose to eat, which can potentially result in better outcomes for your baby?
A recent research study has shown that the risk of chronic lung disease may decrease in babies receiving high level of Omega 3s. A specific Omega-3 fatty acid, known as DHA, is a type of fatty acid that has already shown many different health benefits to the brain such as improved cognitive development in babies. The worldwide average of DHA in breastmilk is 0.32% of fatty acids. However, the average amount in breastmilk in the U.S. is often significantly lower due to mother’s poor consumption of Omega 3 rich foods.
Low Mercury containing fish such as salmon and chunk light albacore tuna are excellent sources of DHA. Some milks and eggs are also supplemented with Omega3s, and lastly, prenatal vitamins taken while lactating may or may not have DHA and their amounts can often vary. So check your food and supplement labels.
Eating nutritious foods is not only important for your health, but also the health of your baby! Your breastmilk can change from liquid gold to liquid platinum!
It’s #GivingTuesday – a day to give to your charity of choice and to share stories about how the charity helped you or a loved one! Will you join by making a contribution to help our families of premature babies receive hope, encouragement and support while they are in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit?
Since The Gift of Life was founded in 2012, we have delivered over 400 Knit Bears made by senior citizens to our local hospital during the Christmas season to spread cheer during the Christmas season. We have shipped bears out-of-state to other families as they hear about what we do, this can only be done through supporters like you.
Thank you for choosing to support our families. Your donations will help families like the Lonas Family who received a Christmas Bear :
“The next few weeks were the hardest times I have ever experienced. I felt helpless and heartbroken. I was told the NICU stay would be a roller coaster of events and emotions and that’s exactly what it was. We went through 2 types of ventilators, 3 intubations, infections, medications, complications and happy milestones. Every ounce counted and I was ready to see him pack on the pounds and thrive for life. It was a long road but that’s exactly what Jameson did. He has taught me all about strength and faith and a lot about having patience. We are truly blessed with how well Jameson did and still continues to do as a micro preemie. The odds were stacked against him and he pushed through. After 143 days in the hospital we brought our sweet boy home on December 23rd. Just in time for Christmas. The best Christmas present ever. He came home with his teddy bear from The Gift of Life, made with love by the seniors citizens at Good Samaritan Village.”
Today is November 17, 2015, World Prematurity Day. It is the day that is selected to raise awareness about the number 1 killer of infants. According to the World Health Organization in the United States alone, 517, 400 premature births occur every year. Besides maternal illness or high blood pressure, diabetes, sometimes it is unknown why babies are born prematurely.
Visit their website for more information: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs363/en/
The Gift of Life was founded by Rosie and Marcus Moore after having a premature baby of their own. Kaleb was born at 1lb and 10 oz. He was born at 27 weeks and was in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for 5 months. What parents Rosie and Marcus did not know, was that besides Rosie being in danger due to the stroke level blood pressure she had and Kaleb suffering internally if he was not taken out, both of them could have died.
Two doctors worked together to save both their lives, Dr Walker( OB) and Dr Bernstein( neonatologist). After the delivery when Kaleb came home, she took him to her OB appt, to show Dr Walker how he was doing. She was told Dr Walker was no longer there and he no longer was doing obstetrics. Rosie thought that was odd, but did not think of anything of it. This year when Rosie went to her yearly check up, another doctor was there of the seven they had. He asked about the pregnancy and when he asked about Kaleb and she shared his age and weight, the doctor said, “you are the one.” Rosie Moore asked what was he speaking of. He stated that Dr Walker left right after Kaleb was born because of the overwhelming emergency of the delivery. One can only imagine the emotions going through his mind.
What Dr Walker may not have known, is that on October 13, 2009, he saved two lives of a mother and son. He may have joked with Rosie telling her when they met the day before at the hospital, that one deceleration( an episode when the baby’s heart rate drops) and he was out, because this kid was going to Harvard. Rosie remembers that day and laughs today saying, ” I should have gotten that in writing.” Regardless, that quiet morning while she slept, Kaleb got in trouble, his breathing decreased and he had to come out. It was like a movie in the ER, doors flying open, codes being called, doctors on standby, nurses rushing. But within 15 minutes, baby Kaleb was out. Not the typical way a parent expects a child by emergency crash c-section.
Today, on World Prematurity Day, there is someone who you may know that is premature or had a baby that was. Help The Gift of Life raise awareness about premature births. Having a baby should be a normal process, but for some, it is not. Let’s band together as a community world-wide and give support to these parents who are having babies before time. These babies and parents did not ask for their baby to come early, so while this happens, lend emotional and financial support.
Premature babies can be our future doctors, nurses, pharmacists, lawyers, teachers, engineers, actors dancers, mothers , fathers, and any profession they choose. Someone gave them a chance, will you? Visit our website to see how you can become involved www.thegiftoflife27.org
Mayor Buddy Dyer is a supporter of The Gift of Life. He wants to raise awareness in our community about premature births and how that affects our community. On September 12, 2015 he declared that this day would be The Gift of Life Day.
Mayor Buddy Dyer had a special message for everyone on September 12 2015.
Helen Keller says,”Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” That is what it takes to help a community of families in the neonatal intensive care units when their babies are born premature. Offering hope, encouragement, and support when they need it most.
Without these event professionals, volunteers and sponsors, The Gift of Life could not be here.
Thank you to all of these companies and individuals that stood up and said I will help even if no one else will.
