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[LaLaBelle]

.

 

[My_First]

You know, I looked into this, as I too had around 4 litres in the freezer. In the UK you actually have to register with a 'bank', they send you the storage containers and they wont take your milk if you are a smoker, drink or have taken drugs. I was gutted that I had to dump my milk down the sink, because it wasnt in the 'right' containers. Rules maybe different in the US however...

 

[freckleonear]

Lots of information about informal milk sharing here: https://www.milkshare.org.uk/. It's fine to ask for reimbursement or replacement of any bags, labels or packaging, but safe milk sharing should never involve payment for the actual milk. If you have recent blood test results (such as the pregnancy ones) then that would be great to show the mother that you're free of diseases, she should also ask you questions about your lifestyle (sexual partners, drugs, piercings, tattoos, smoking, alcohol, medications and diet) which it's important that you answer honestly. Donating breast milk is a wonderful thing to do for another baby, well done you. And yes, I would absolutely use donated breastmilk rather than formula if I was ever unable to breastfeed for any reason.

 

[stardust599]

I would donate breastmilk but I wouldn't accepted another mother's milk unless it was close family/friend who I completely trusted. As you could never be 100% sure about their medical state and I couldn't risk it with my baby.

I don't think it's right to ask for payment hun but maybe you could ask for replacements for the containers?

You will need to find some way to transport it the hour without it defrosting at all which should be easy enough with ice packs and the right container.

You are doing a wonderful thing xx

 

[midori1999]

You know, I looked into this, as I too had around 4 litres in the freezer. In the UK you actually have to register with a 'bank', they send you the storage containers and they wont take your milk if you are a smoker, drink or have taken drugs. I was gutted that I had to dump my milk down the sink, because it wasnt in the 'right' containers. Rules maybe different in the US however...

I'm about to start donating milk to a milk bank and they will accept milk that has been stored in breastmilk bags, although once you're a donor they give you bottles.

You can share/donate milk through unoffical channels in the UK, there's a Facebook group, 'Human Milk for Human Babies'.

 

[cheese lover]

I just passed all the tests to become a certified milk donor. I give my milk to the University of Iowa milk bank. I had to pass an interview and a blood test. They give me the containers but will accept other containers. There are certain regulations around certain medications and alcohol but they don't have any dietary restrictions.
You should look to see if there are any milk banks in your area.

 

[aliss]

You girls are great

Milk was $3-4/oz when Alex wasn't feeding properly and due to his reflux I simply couldn't afford 70+oz per day. More screened milk + donors = more well fed babies, thank you girls

 

[AuntBug]

My lo drank donated breast milk while she was in the nicu, provided by the hospital. We were told the donors were screened and the milk was pasteurized,which did kill off some antibodies but it was still easier to digest. I could only produce about a bottle a day, but it gave her the antibodies. We truly appreciated that moms were willing to do this to help our lo.

 

[LaLaBelle]

.,

 

[cheese lover]

It's too bad that your local milk bank is so unresponsive! My local milk bank is the complete opposite and if you're sure you didn't take any medications or drink any alcohol within 12 hours of pumping they'll take any milk up to 6 months old. I can't remember when I took ibuprofen so I can't give my old milk.
I thought about helping a woman on craiglist who was looking for donor milk but she lives 1.5 hours away.

 

[LuvMyBoys]

I have both received AND donated my own breast milk, I think it's amazing. You can check out your local chapter of Human Milk 4 Human Babies on Facebook, that's how I donated.