[bacatherine]

I've got a lot of milk in my freezer that I don't think we'll need for Aubrey since she's still eating well and I'm producing plenty yet. I've been thinking about donating it for a while and I finally filled out the online form today to start the process. Hopefully its pretty simple. I know it says they will do a blood test to check for any diseases but that's about all the info it has online other than the criteria check list which I meet.

Has anyone else donated any extra milk to a milk bank? Was it pretty simple?

 

[jzgrlduff]

Who does it get donated to?

 

[bacatherine]

It goes to a milk bank where they pasturize it and use it for premie babies or other babies with issues where the mother can't use her own milk.
This is the bank that's closest to us that I sent the resquest to.
http://www.clarian.org/portal/IMMilkBank

 

[kelli]

gross

 

[CoCosMom]

gross

No grosser then drinking milk from a bovine!

I think its a great idea. Mother's milk IS best, especially for preemies.

But you know Barbara you could use that milk in the future - for baby cereal or what have you. Heck, they recommend in Canada to breast feed until two years old.

 

[MidwestGirl]

I don't have a clue but I am sure they could use it ...no different than donating blood.

 

[YellowJakesMom]

What an awesome thing for you to do Barb Thanks for helping out families and babies in need!

 

[BoatDog]

Really an awesome thing Kel - it will help save some babies - not gross...(just you wait!) good luck barb!

 

[kelli]

Really an awesome thing Kel - it will help save some babies - not gross...(just you wait!) good luck barb!

Maybe, but to me it's a tad creepy.. i'd be horrified to grow up and find out i drank some unknown woman's milk.

 

[bacatherine]

It's pasturized just like the milk we drink and they screen the doners to make sure they are healthy it's really important for babies that are really small or have health issues.

I have at least 720oz in the freezer now and I'm running out of room. I pump enough for her bottles at the sitter and her cereal so I don't really use any extra now. I'll keep at least enough for a few extra weeks at the sitters just incase I would get sick and not be able to feed her a few days. I figure there are babies out there that really need it where if I had to stop today Aubrey would be fine.

 

[blacklabelias]

I think it's great that you are trying to donate.

How is it gross? But not gross to drink milk from a cow?

 

[Princess Zoe]

Maybe, but to me it's a tad creepy.. i'd be horrified to grow up and find out i drank some unknown woman's milk.

What do you think a Wet Nurse is/was?

Shut up Robert.

 

[Princess Zoe]

I didn't know you could donate milk.

 

[bacatherine]

I didn't know you could until I started looking into breastfeeding. There are not many banks around I think 10 maybe in North America. They are listed here.
http://www.hmbana.org/index.php?mode=locations
Luckily there is one about 2 hours away from us in Indy I'm not sure of the procedure yet though hopefully they will send me more info.

 

[patm]

Maybe, but to me it's a tad creepy.. i'd be horrified to grow up and find out i drank some unknown woman's milk.

Hee,hee! No - it's better to drink it from a large, cud-chewing, cow-pie shitting, animal that has no relationship to people at all. That's much more natural

 

[patm]

And while I'll stick up for breastfeeding anyday, I must admit that many years ago while I was working as a nurse in a hospital, I grabbed some milk out of our floor fridge to put in my coffee. I was just about to take a big gulp when one of my co-workers came in and asked where the container with her breast milk was! Needless to say, I spewed that coffee out of my mouth LOL

 

[Tundra Aries]

I never knew you could donate it like that

 

[bacatherine]

And while I'll stick up for breastfeeding anyday, I must admit that many years ago while I was working as a nurse in a hospital, I grabbed some milk out of our floor fridge to put in my coffee. I was just about to take a big gulp when one of my co-workers came in and asked where the container with her breast milk was! Needless to say, I spewed that coffee out of my mouth LOL

LOL Yeah I wouldn't drink it myself but that's too funny. I keep mine in a cooler that came with my pump when I'm at work so I don't have to worry about that.

 

[Jinx]

5 second rule. that's all.

 

[blacklabparent]

No grosser then drinking milk from a bovine!

I think its a great idea. Mother's milk IS best, especially for preemies.

But you know Barbara you could use that milk in the future - for baby cereal or what have you. Heck, they recommend in Canada to breast feed until two years old.

That.

I think it's a wonderful thing. I nursed both of my girls until they were 1. Just think of the wonderful antibodies you will be providing those little babies. =)