Mother Donates 148 Pounds in Breast Milk After 11-Day-Old Son Dies

Ariel Matthew donated 148 pounds worth of breast milk after losing her 11-day-old son.

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The story of a new mother who donated 148 pounds worth of her breast milk after losing her 11-day-old son has gone viral this week, as Peoplereported.

San Jose, California’s Ariel Matthew donated a total of 2,370 oz. equaling more than her body weight. Matthew, a 25-year-old mother to a three-year-old, told People: “When my breast milk came in I was pumping a whole lot. I decided right away to donate it, because I knew he wasn’t going to make it.” Matthew, who documented her journey on Instagram, posted about her 11-day-old son Ronan, born with heart and neurological issues.

Matthew had a stillborn a year earlier. At the time she had wanted to donate 1,000 oz. of breast milk, but missed her goal, reaching 510 oz. This time she had another chance.

“So I made it another goal, if my body would let me, to try for 1,000 oz. And then I just decided to keep going with it once I hit it,” Matthew said.

Matthew finished pumping late last month. In late October she hit her goal of 1,000 oz.

“It felt really good to donate it all, especially because I would get hugs from the moms when they came to pick it up and thank yous,” Matthews said. “And that the moms were trusting me to give their babies my milk—it feels really good.” The milk was donated to three moms, including women who didn’t produce breast milk and an adoptive mom.

Matthew, who in one Instagram post said she had had a miscarriage before having a stillborn pregnancy, said she’s heard from people who have been encouraged by her strength.

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