Elisabeth Anderson-Sierra, a mother of three from Portland, has turned her hyperlactation diagnosis into a remarkable endeavor. Due to a rare health condition called hyperlactation syndrome, Anderson-Sierra produces an astonishing 1.5 gallons of breast milk daily, far exceeding the 60 ounces she needs to feed her seven-month-old son, Benjamin. She spends about five hours a day attached to a breast pump, resulting in a surplus of breast milk that fills up not only her kitchen freezer but also two additional freezers in her garage, which she promptly donates to mothers who are unable to produce milk themselves.
Instead of letting her condition go to waste, Anderson-Sierra has decided to use it for the greater good. She has donated over 54,000 fluid ounces of life-sustaining breast milk to families in need, equivalent to nearly 422 gallons. Her incredible contribution earned her a Guinness World Record this year, recognizing her as the individual who has donated the highest amount of breast milk to infants in need. Although she is content knowing her donated milk has helped numerous people, she is contemplating a double mastectomy to halt her hyperlactation. Anderson-Sierra’s journey with hyperlactation began after the birth of her first daughter, Isabella, in 2014, when she started producing milk just 14 weeks into her pregnancy. This early production is uncommon, as it typically begins between 16 and 22 weeks.
Since her diagnosis, Anderson-Sierra has undergone multiple tests, including a CAT scan of her pituitary gland, which revealed an enlargement caused by hormonal shifts during pregnancy. The excessive prolactin production from her enlarged gland led to her hyperlactation. Her endocrinologist offered her medication to reduce her prolactin supply, but she opted for close monitoring and medical care instead, ensuring she could continue nursing her baby. Her pituitary gland remained enlarged throughout her pregnancy, leading her to produce 30 ounces of milk daily by the time she was 20 weeks pregnant. She had to use washcloths to absorb the excess milk and began donating to a local midwives’ practice, a milk bank in California, and directly to mothers who reached out on Facebook.
Hyperlactation syndrome’s prevalence is challenging to determine due to limited data, as it can vary based on cultural norms and medical professionals’ awareness. Anderson-Sierra’s kitchen freezer was so packed during and after her pregnancy that her husband had to remove the ice maker. Eventually, they acquired industrial-sized freezers for the surplus milk. Anderson-Sierra describes producing milk as more uncomfortable than being pregnant, as she had to pump before breastfeeding to prevent her baby from “waterboarding.” Despite the challenges, Anderson-Sierra breastfeeds her children five to six times a day and discreetly pumps on the go. Not only did her hyperlactation cause her children to gain excess weight, but it also posed risks such as choking during feeding.
Anderson-Sierra’s contribution to breast milk donation is staggering, securing her a world record. According to Guinness World Records, she has provided over 422 gallons of breast milk. However, she claims to have donated even more—over 700 gallons—according to a post on her Instagram account. The sheer quantity of milk she produces highlights the fact that many women produce more milk than their babies require, making hyperlactation difficult to diagnose and likely underreported.
While constant pumping and feeding sessions have caused stress and isolation for Anderson-Sierra, she firmly believes in the nutritional benefits of breastfeeding and cannot imagine being a mother who does not breastfeed. She is considering a double mastectomy, but only after her youngest child, Benjamin, is weaned. Like millions of other mothers, Anderson-Sierra believes in the exceptional nutritional and immunological advantages of breast milk, especially for infants who cannot be immunized due to their young age or vulnerability. She attributes her older children’s resistance to childhood illnesses to her breast milk.
Breastfeeding rates in the US decline significantly after the first few months, with less than 56% of American babies being breastfed at six months, and fewer than a quarter being breastfed exclusively. This decline can be influenced by various factors such as time and work constraints or health issues that impede a mother’s milk production. Anderson-Sierra’s extraordinary dedication to breastfeeding and donation serves as an inspiration and showcases the immense value of breast milk in promoting infants’ well-being.
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