Heartbroken mother, 37, who lost one of her twins after he was stillborn saves dozens of lives by donating her excess breast milk

  • Joanne Peters, 37, has donated 50 litres of breast milk in 25 weeks gestation 
  • Mrs Peters was producing excess breast milk after one of her twins was stillborn
  • She said she wanted to help mothers who were struggling to feed their babies

A mother who lost one of her twin boys has donated her excess breast milk to new born and premature babies.

Joanne Peters gave birth to twin boys at the Royal Hospital for Women's Newborn Intensive Care Unit.

However joy became heartbreak for the 37-year-old when one of her twins, Cub, was stillborn.

Joanne Peters gave birth to twin boys at the Royal Hospital for Women's Newborn Intensive Care Unit (pictured with her husband Fabian)

Joanne Peters gave birth to twin boys at the Royal Hospital for Women's Newborn Intensive Care Unit (pictured with her husband Fabian)

'I was so physically sick in the hospital. We were trying to deal with losing Cub and being able to see Koa and hold him for the very first time while discussing and planning a funeral. It was so difficult,' she told Nine News.  

The Sydney mother was producing milk she didn't need and donated her excess breast milk to support premature babies in their development.

In just 25 weeks gestation Mrs Peters managed to give away 50 litres of breast milk.  

'In the NICU, I could see there were some mums who were struggling to breastfeed their premature babies,' she said.  

Mrs Peters (pictured) said she is grateful and feels privileged that she is able to support premature babies

Mrs Peters (pictured) said she is grateful and feels privileged that she is able to support premature babies

Breast milk donors 

Each donor goes through a screening process to ensure the donated milk is as safe as possible. 

After collecting the donated breast milk, the Red Cross test and process it before distributing it to hospital partners.  

Source: Australian Red Cross Blood Service 

Advertisement

Mrs Peters - who has arrived back home with her husband Fabian, two-year old son Ami and newborn Koa - said she is grateful for being able to help other mums. 

'I saw it as a privilege that I was able to donate my milk to other very premature babies,' she said.  

The Australian Red Cross Service Milk Bank is one of the organisations which delivers milk to care units. 

It is supported by New South Wales and South Australia Health as milk becomes available to babies who don't have access to their mothers for a variety of reasons.

Breast milk has antioxidants and nutrients which help babies fight any viruses or infections as well as respiratory illnesses.  

Australian Red Cross Service Milk Bank is one of the organisations which delivers milk to care units in NSW and SA (stock image)

Australian Red Cross Service Milk Bank is one of the organisations which delivers milk to care units in NSW and SA (stock image)

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.