Texas woman sets Guinness World Record by donating over 2,600 litres of breastmilk

Awoman in the US state of Texashas set the record for the largest donation of breastmilk by an individual by donating over 2,600 litres of breastmilk. The 36-year-old previously broke the same record in 2014 after donating 1,569.79 litres of breastmilk.

Alyse Ogletree made all her donations to Mothers' Milk Bank in North Texas, a total measuring 2,645.58 litres as of July 2023. She has also donated beyond this record but it was not counted. She said her favourite thing about this is knowing that she is helping other people.

“I have a big heart,” she told the Guinness World Records. “At the end of the day, I’m not made of money and I can’t give away money to good causes over and over because I have a family I have to support for.”

Alyse found out she was overproducing and throwing it away after she gave birth to her first son Kyle, now 14. She started donating breast milk in 2010 after she learned how to from a nurse.

“Our first child, Kyle, was in the hospital, and I was filling the nurses’ freezer. A nurse asked if I was donating, which I didn’t know was possible, and that is when I learned about it.”

Alyse has two more children, Kage, 12, and Kory, seven. Additionally, she has been a surrogate for another.

She broke the record for the first time when she submitted her application after donating when she had her daughter Kage. She continued donating following the birth of her youngest and when she became a surrogate mother.

“It’s one of the best feelings in the world,” she said.

Alyse wishes to make other women aware of donating breast milk as they may be able to help other mothers and their babies. She has never been diagnosed with any condition to explain her overproducing, however, she explained she was well-hydrated, had a healthy diet and maintained a consistent pumping schedule.

“Alyse Ogletree has astounded and inspired us once again through her remarkable commitment to donate an incomprehensible amount of surplus breastmilk to fragile infants. Her life-saving efforts are an undeniable testament to her extraordinary generosity and compassion,” said Shaina Starks executive director of Mothers’ Milk Bank of North Texas.

(With inputs from agencies)