Donating after bereavement

The gift of Luna-Rae’s milk

For Baby Loss Awareness Week, I wanted to share the story of my beautiful daughter, Luna-Rae, and why donating breast milk became such an important part of our journey through grief.

Luna was born with Noonan syndrome on 1st February 2024. She was different in her own beautiful way, but to me, she was absolutely perfect. She was incredibly strong, and she fought so hard from the very beginning. Luna was only here for 85 days, but in those 85 days she touched so many hearts in a way that will last a lifetime. 💜

One of the things Luna loved most was her milk. She loved her bottles, and they were such an important part of her little life. I always used to think that if she were still here, she probably wouldn’t have wanted to share them with anyone! 😂💜

After losing Luna, I started expressing and donating my milk to the milk bank. It was incredibly hard. There were so many tears, and there were days when expressing felt like one of the hardest things I could possibly do.

But somehow, it also became one of the things that helped me heal.

Even though Luna was no longer physically here, expressing her milk made me feel like we were still working together. I was still doing something for her. I was taking something that had been made especially for my baby girl and giving it to other babies who needed it.

I would think about those poorly little babies receiving Luna’s milk, and I imagined them just like she had been — needing their bottles, needing nourishment, comfort and love.
I sometimes picture all of those babies, wherever they may be, raising their bottles up in the sky in honour of Luna. 🌙💜

For me, every drop was a little piece of Luna continuing to make a difference.

I will always be incredibly grateful to the milk bank for giving me that opportunity. The support, kindness and understanding I received meant more to me than I can put into words. You gave me something positive to hold onto during one of the darkest times of our lives.
And I say our, I include my partner too who helped me during the early mornings to wash the breast pump parts. Even though it was tough, he supported me all the way with this wish.

And I can’t forget the amazing blood bikers who work so hard to transport donated milk to hospitals, helping make sure that this precious milk reaches the tiny babies who need it. You are all such an important part of this incredible journey. 💜

Then, almost a year after Luna passed away, we were blessed with another beautiful baby girl, Novah-Rae. 🌸

And somehow, Novah became another little hero.

I was able to donate some of her milk too, meaning that my two girls have both played a part in helping babies in need.

Luna may have only had 85 days on this earth, but her story didn’t end when she left us.
Through her milk, through the babies she helped, and now through her little sister Novah-Rae, her legacy continues.

Our beautiful Luna.
Our little fighter.
Our first little hero. 🌙💜

Baby Novah-Rae