World Breastfeeding Week 2026: Clare’s Story

Will was born in the summer of 2022, full term and healthy, and I exclusively breastfed him. However when he was 10 days old, he fell seriously ill and was admitted into intensive care at UHW in Cardiff. He had RSV – a common virus that most babies and toddlers will experience before they turn two years old. However, for Will being so young, it was too much for his body to cope with and he stopped breathing. He was put on a ventilator to allow him the best chance possible for him to fight off the numerous viruses and infections he had.

For any parent who has had a seriously ill child, you’ll be aware of the stress and trauma that you experience. You feel so helpless, yet are desperate to do what you can to support and care for your baby. I knew how important it was that Will continued to receive breast milk whilst in hospital. I knew that breast milk contained antibodies that help fight infections while boosting their immunity, something that Will so desperately needed. 

Throughout his hospital stay, I had done my best to express milk which could be fed to Will while he was on the ventilator. However, despite the amazing support of maternity nurses, I was finding my supply was diminishing, not increasing, due to the stress of events, but also complications associated to the cancer treatment I’d received a few years earlier. For me it was so important that Will could receive my milk, as I knew that it was full of the antibodies and nutrients he needed to help him recover.

A Google search by supportive friends and family led to the discovery of the Human Milk Foundation and fantastic research Amy was doing in Swansea University. Over the next few weeks, Will received litres of donated milk from The Hearts Milk Bank hub in Wales whilst he was recovering. Each week, a Blood Bike volunteer would arrive with frozen bottles at our doorstep, which I defrosted to feed Will as and when needed. The relief that my child was receiving breast milk was huge. I was giving him the best chance to fully recover as quickly as possible. During this time, I was able to speak to the charity’s support team to look at ways to increase my milk supply, which it did, and I was able to feed Will into his fourth month. 

The benefit of breastfeeding for a baby is well documented and there’s lots of data to support this, but there are also meaningful benefits to mothers and the wider family. Mothers helping mothers is so valuable in maintaining good mental health. You know the age old saying, it takes a village to raise a child. In this instance, I really did feel I had a village full of mothers surrounding me and my family during our time of need.

A special thanks must go out to the mums who donated the milk. We will forever be grateful for their selfless giving and supporting Will in helping him get stronger and becoming the happy and healthy little boy he is today.