Frantic new mom calls 911 when her milk dries up—here’s how a kind police officer saved the day

Raising a child truly takes a village, and this new mom took that saying to heart when she called 911 in a panic because her milk dried up and she couldn’t find formula for her 1-week-old baby at 2 a.m. Those middle-of-the-night feeds are brutal, and the fact she had nothing to give her crying baby made things so much worse.

The new and desperate mom called 911 at 2 a.m. after driving around for hours in search of a store that was open and had formula. Officer Hunter Willoughby jumped into action after receiving the alert from the 911 dispatcher. Willoughby is also a dad to two young daughters, and he understood how stressed out the mom must have been.

“My heart went out to her,” Willoughby told TODAY in an interview. “She said her baby had been screaming for a couple of hours and I’m a dad—I know how hard that can be. Those first few months are a whirlwind of emotions,” he said.

According to body cam footage, which was released by Chief of Police Mike Mills with the Miami Township police department, Willoughby arrived at a Meijer supermarket that had been closed already for several hours. He said he had a feeling someone would be there, and using a flashlight, he banged on the glass door.

And he was right. Someone was in the store, and after he explained the situation, the employee allowed Willoughby inside where he purchased formula and two infant baby bottles. After obtaining the goods, Willoughby said he called the mom and told her he’d see her in a couple of minutes, per TODAY.

As Willoughby handed the new mom a grocery bag, he said a look of relief washed over her. “She was super appreciative and tried to pay me, but I refused,” he said. Willoughby added, “It wasn’t a long conversation, as the woman had a hungry baby to feed.”

This isn’t the first act of kindness the department has shown, according to Willoughby. He told TODAY that two officers recently purchased a car seat in the middle of the night for a parent in need.

“You tend to hear the bad stories, and the good stories get overlooked,” Willoughby told TODAY. “We’ve built our entire department around helping.”

The video sparked even more random acts of kindness as evidenced by the comments. Many viewers asked if the mother needed any additional help, and offered to drop a gift card to the station to give to her, or even donate clothing and diapers. Chief Mills commented on the post that he’d be happy to take donations for the baby and provided the station’s address.

One commenter summed up the culture of the city and this department well: “It’s not about what you do, it is all about who you are. The men and women of the Miami Township Police Department are wonderful, compassionate officers. This culture is instilled by a great servant-leadership philosophy that begins and is ensured through an excellent recruitment and hiring process.”

What to do if your milk supply is dwindling

If you’re experiencing a drop in your breastmilk supply, there are several steps you can take:

• Increase feeding frequency: Nurse or pump more often to stimulate milk production.

• Ensure proper latch: Make sure your baby is latching correctly to empty the breast effectively.

• Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day.

• Eat a balanced diet: Consume enough calories and nutrients to support milk production.

• Rest and reduce stress: Fatigue and stress can negatively impact milk supply.

• Use breast compression: Gently compress your breast while feeding to encourage milk flow.

• Try “power pumping“: Pump for 10-20 minutes every hour for a few hours to mimic cluster feeding.

• Consider galactagogues: Some foods (like oatmeal, fenugreek, or brewer’s yeast) may help increase supply.

• Check medications: Some medications can affect milk supply, so consult your healthcare provider.

• Skin-to-skin contact: Spend time with your baby skin-to-skin to promote milk production.

• Address any health issues: Certain medical conditions can affect supply, so consult your doctor if concerned.

Most importantly, however, is taking good care of yourself. Breastfeeding is a nonstop, demanding job! Get as much sleep as you can, check in on your mental health, take a “nursing vacation” if you have to—do whatever you need to do for yourself, first and foremost.

Also, a lactation consultant can help you troubleshoot any issues, like a poor breastfeeding latch, and help you get back to producing enough milk.