Alyse Ogletree, a mother of three from Texas, USA, has broken her own Guinness World Record for donating breast milk as of July 2023. The 36-year-old first broke the record for the largest donation of breastmilk by an individual back in 2014 with a measurement of 1,570 litres.
With an astonishing 2,650 litres contributed to the Mother’s Milk Bank of North Texas as of January 2025, her remarkable donation is estimated to have helped feed around 350,000 premature and medically fragile babies.
Alyse’s story began in 2010 after the birth of her first son, Kyle. She started pumping milk to store for future feedings but soon realised that she was producing far more than her baby needed. Instead of wasting this precious resource, Alyse decided to donate her excess milk to help other infants.
Over the years, she continued to donate breast milk after the births of her two more children, Kage and Kory, and even after acting as a surrogate mother.
Alyse’s donations have made a significant impact on the lives of hundreds of thousands of babies. Breast milk is particularly crucial for premature babies, as it’s packed with immune-boosting properties and essential nutrients that help prevent dangerous infections and support healthy brain development. According to the Mother’s Milk Bank of North Texas, one litre of breast milk can save the lives of 11 premature babies.
Alyse’s motivation for donating breast milk stems from her desire to give back to the community. She believes that if she has been given the gift of abundant milk production, she should share it with those in need. Despite the challenges of pumping and storing milk, Alyse has maintained a regular schedule, driven by her love for helping others.
Alyse’s record-breaking donation has earned her recognition, but she remains humble, saying, “I just wanted to help. If I was given this gift, why not share it with babies who need it most?”
Her story has inspired many, and lactation consultants now use her example to educate new mothers about the importance of milk donation.
Alyse’s selfless act has saved countless lives, and her story serves as an inspiration to others, highlighting the importance of breast milk donation and the impact one person can have on the lives of many.
Postage stamps promoting breast feeding from India, Tunisia, Burkina Faso, Surinam and Luxembourg. To dispel aggressive marketing by infant food manufacturers, postage stamps are an important mass-media tool. Image and caption courtesy healhinstamps.com. Please visit the website to view many more postage stamps on the theme ‘health and medicine.‘
Image of Alyse Ogletree at the top of the story courtesy Guinness Book of World Records.