Amber Jade de Beer: a Supermom's journey of breast milk donation

In an inspiring journey of motherhood and compassion, Amber Jade de Beer, a mother of two, has become a beacon of hope, donating enough lifegiving breast milk for over 50 babies. Her selfless acts have not only deepened her sense of fulfilment but have profoundly affected the lives of vulnerable newborns at the Netcare Blaauwberg Hospital.

Amber’s journey began after the birth of her first child when she joined a mothers’ group at the Stork’s Nest Clinic, nestled within the hospital’s walls.

“Like so many women, I was experiencing a bit of post-natal depression and found support in the community of moms there,” she explained. It was at the hospital that she first learned about breast milk donation, leading her to act on her oversupply of milk. The decision to donate quickly became a defining part of her post-natal experience, providing her with a newfound purpose during those challenging early weeks.

"Being able to give back in this way gave me an added sense of purpose during those early months, and when I had my second baby recently, I didn’t hesitate to donate again,” Amber recalled fondly. Her dedication to the cause exemplifies the powerful impact that community support can have in the sometimes lonely world of new motherhood.

According to Candice Willemse, a milk handler for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the hospital, breast milk offers tremendous health benefits for newborns, particularly for premature infants with underdeveloped digestive systems.

"If mothers are unable to provide breast milk for their own baby, we rely on donor breast milk to ensure that medically vulnerable infants receive the nutrients and antibodies their developing systems need," she states. The presence of high concentrations of antibodies in breast milk significantly lowers the risk of severe health complications, such as necrotising enterocolitis, a leading cause of death in newborns.

The Netcare Ncelisa human milk banks initiative, under the Netcare Foundation, has made a remarkable difference in the lives of infants across South Africa. Since its inception in 2017, over 4,690 babies have benefited from donated breast milk. Verena Bolton, the national coordinator, emphasised that the initiative is open to all eligible mothers who have surplus milk, making it easy for them to become donors after undergoing a simple screening process.

"Breast milk from eligible donors is processed according to strict protocols to ensure safety for the infants who receive it," Verena notes, highlighting the rigorous processes in place to maintain high safety standards. Those interested in donating are provided with storage instructions and can drop off at one of the 35 collection sites nationwide, or can even arrange for milk to be collected from their homes.

For Amber, the trips to the hospital have woven seamlessly into her routine, but a powerful moment recently brought clarity to the impact of her donations. “I never gave it much thought until a recent support group at the hospital, when one of the other moms asked about the cooler box I had with me. When I explained I had just dropped off a breast milk donation, three other moms were suddenly giving me heartfelt thanks – their babies had all been in the neonatal intensive care unit in recent months and had all needed donated breast milk,” she recounts, a smile spreading across her face as she recalled the gratitude expressed by those mothers.

As Candice humorously notes, she hopes Amber continues to have children, ensuring a steady supply of donations for those in need. “Sadly, donors are few and far between. Every drop counts, so if ever you are considering dumping excess milk down the drain, know that the option exists to donate and make a very real difference,” Amber urged, extending her compassion beyond her immediate community.

 "Amber has provided more than 150 litres of breast milk – and counting. Her selfless gift benefits not only recipients at our hospital but also in other Netcare facilities. We are truly grateful for her willingness to help.” To many, Amber has become nothing short of a Supermom.

Women interested in making a meaningful contribution to the health of vulnerable infants can contact any Netcare hospital with maternity facilities or visit the Netcare Ncelisa human milk banks website for more information.