New mother Kat Von D is at home with her lovely baby boy Leafer (named after his father) and brought attention to an unfortunate occurrence that is rarely discussed openly. In an Instagram post, the 36-year-olds told her followers that for the first two days of her baby’s life, she was unable to breastfeed him because she wasn’t producing milk. Even worse, her baby had a low blood sugar count, which meant he had to be fed as soon as possible.
“The pediatrician suggested asking around to see if any friends might have a bit of extra milk they could donate – and if not, I’d have to consider supplementing with formula – something we personally did not want to do,” Von D wrote. She said she quickly turned to her doula, Sara Howard, who in turn told her to contact Morgan Campbell of Matters of Motherhood. Aside from being a doula, she helps mothers with postpartum.
Von D explains: “…without even knowing me, and without question, [she] stepped up and donated a few ounces to us in the middle of the night. Needless to say, Leafar’s levels boosted, and we are now happily breastfeeding at home.”
The beauty and tattoo entrepreneur — who has very particular ways of raising her baby — said they had to find a person to donate breast milk that was also on a plant-based diet. Luckily, Campbell was just that person.
“This is a true community. True sisterhood. True kindness,” Von D wrote on Instagram. “And I can’t wait to pay it forward one day soon.”
For women who breastfeed (and those who do not) making sure your baby is fed and healthy is so incredibly important. And when the mother cannot feed their baby for whatever reason, it’s devastating. For mom’s who cannot breastfeed, it’s very important for them to know that they are not alone. Like the doulas that helped Von D, there are other support groups ready to assist.
