After Holly Updegraff, of Stewartstown, delivered her now 9-month-old son, she had postpartum complications, including requiring many blood infusions, which saved her life. Her son had to be treated for jaundice. She also struggled to get him interested in breastfeeding, and she found herself with an oversupply of milk. Her milk supply was so backed up that she had to store it in her deep freezer, which quickly filled up.

“I joked with friends that my husband and I weren’t eating any frozen veggies or ice cream,” Updegraff said.

Holly Updegraff found a unique way to help new moms by donating breast milk to the WellSpan Breast Milk Access and Donation Center.

She didn’t know what to do with the extra milk and thought about ways to get rid of it. Then her lactation consultant advised her on what to do with the oversupply and gave her a pamphlet about the WellSpan Breast Milk Access and Donation Center in York located in WellSpan Pediatric Medicine-South Queen Street.

WellSpan Health, in collaboration with the Mid-Atlantic Mothers' Milk Bank, has launched the region’s first WellSpan Breast Milk Access and Donation Center. The center offers safe, pasteurized human donor milk, opportunities for approved donors to drop off milk and virtual lactation support for breastfeeding families in partnership with Nest Collaborative, which provides expert guidance and resources.

Updegraff felt inspired to give back after all that she had overcome to help other babies in need.

“I felt helpless — I could only hold my son’s hand and comfort him,” she said. “It broke my heart that I couldn’t help him. I was pumping around the clock to be able to give something to him. I’m so honored I’m in a position that I can do this. My baby didn’t need the milk, but I can help so many other babies. I feel like this is my way of giving back.”

Updegraff holds her 9-month-old son.

Updegraff filled out an application followed by an interview with the WellSpan Breast Milk Access and Donation Center. She also filled out a detailed questionnaire where she was asked about her medical history, background and why she wanted to be a donor. Once the center confirmed her medical history with her obstetrician and pediatrician, she had to wait three months after her last blood transfusion to get her blood tested to make sure it was safe for her to be a donor. Her milk was also tested for bacteria. All shipping and testing expenses were covered by the center.

Once Updegraff’s tests came back negative, she was cleared to donate.

“I’ve dropped off two coolers and a backpack, and I’ll donate another cooler soon,” said Updegraff. “It’s very convenient that I have a hub so close. I feel very fortunate to have an oversupply to be able to donate so much. If more women knew they could donate, they would. There's a lot of over suppliers.”

To learn more about WellSpan breast feeding services and for individuals interested in donating to the milk bank, click here.