Hi mommies.. I have bags full of frozen breast milk that will be nearing their expiration time in the next month or two. I have so much that my son won't be able to go through it all and was curious about donating. Does anyone have any advice/tips on whether or where this can be done?
Thanks, everyone!
Hi Anita,
I just donated to Bronsons Mothers Milk Bank in Kalamazoo. Call ###-###-#### ask for Cindy or Mary. They will advise you!
You'll want to look for a Mothers Milk Bank. When I donated milk almost 9 years ago, the closest one was in Denver. They were very very nice and as far as I remember the process was not much more then sending a few blood samples to be tested and filling out some forms. Then I would send them milk every few months packed in their containers and dry ice. It was a win-win situation, my milk was not wasted and other babies could get what they dearly needed. Good Luck!
Anita:
search on line for the human milk bank association of america... there are a number of hospitals ( none in chicago - sorry) that have banks and would be happy for donations
warmly,
P., RLC, IBCLC
Breastfeeding and Parenting Solutions
I donated to The Indiana Mother's Milk Bank (speak with either Donna Miracle or Dane). The phone number is ###-###-#### and the website is www.immilkbank.org. You need to fill out a (simple) health questionaire and go to a doctor for a blood test (cost covered by the milk bank if your doctor won't do it for free). Then you simply ship them your excess milk overnight (they will reimburse you for dry ice). I thought the whole process wasn't too cumbersome and you're helping out other babies! Good luck.
Milk Banks have a lot of requirements about donating and I am not sure if they are OK with taking milk that was pumped prior to fulfilling their health standards. If that doesn't work out and you still want to donate, there is also a Yahoo group that facilitates moms wanting to share milk called MilkShare. http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/MilkShare/
Hi Anita,
I would love to be able to obtain your breast milk...I have my 12 week old grand daughter (through DCFS) that was in the NICU at Good Sam for a month she was born seven weeks premature weighing 3lbs 8 oz. ...her digestive system is having difficulty with the Neosure but the pediatrician still wants me to use it...I think breast milk would be the best for her...if it is still available I would love to have it...you can contact me at ###-###-####.
Thank you for sharing,
L.
Hi Anita -
Yes you can donate your milk somewhere. There is an organization called international breast milk project. It was actually founded by someone that I went to college with. Sounds like an incredible group. Was featured on the Today show and Oprah. I believe that the milk gets donated to children in Africa. Check it out! I am not sure what the website is, but I am sure you can do a google search.
good luck finding a good place for all that hard worked milk.
There are several milk banks across the country that would love to accept your donation. Google breast milk bank to find the one that is a match for you.
when I delivered my chilren years ago.. they told me I could donate there if I had so much extra.. Try your local Hospital.. I delivered at Hinsdale Hospital.
Good for you to donate your milk! You can contact The Art of Breastfeeding here in Chicago, they can help locate someone who will take it or tell you where you can send it. Peggy Healy is wonderful and very nice! www.artofbreastfeeding.com
Please tell them I sent you!
J. W. MPH
Maternal and Child Health Educator
Speaking on Tuesday, October 6 at 7pm at Giggle in Chicago on Infant Nutrition 4m-12m
I would contact La Leche. If they don't have any leads for you, contact the NICU at Children's. Breast milk is gold for preemies.
I donated to the Indiana Milk bank. It's a great organization and I was glad it was going to some baby that would need it. I do want to warn you that you'll need to take a blood test and find dry ice to ship it. It's worth it, but I didn't wanted you to know it's not easy as putting it in the mail. But it's good that you want to donate it, I'm sure they'll appreciate it!
Anita,
That is so wonderful that you are thinking of donating your milk! What a wonderful gift to share with those in need.
The best- and only- organization to which you should donate is the Human Milk Bank of North America. The website is www.hmbana.org. It is a nonprofit organization that makes sure that the milk gets to premies and newborns who need it. There are other milk banks out there, but they are for profit, sometimes charging up to $45 an ounce, and are preying upon the needs of sick and preterm infants.
I donated my milk (I was a huge overproducer) to the Milk Bank of Ohio, but I've heard good things about Indiana as well. They were wonderful. They sent me a shipping crate and milk cups. To get started, they sent me a blood test kit that I just brought to my dr office to have the nurse draw my blood. The milk bank pays all shipping costs too. You just have to buy dry ice to pack in the crate with the milk and take it to fed ex. I got my dry ice in Forest Park, if you're around here I'll give you directions.
Good luck with your donation!
-P.
That is really awesome. I would try contacting the La Leche League in your area. I know they would have some helpful insights!
There's a milk bank in Indiana, you can try them since there probably the closest bank. What a great thing to do. Good Luck!
I actually have a friend who is interested in your stored milk. She's used www.milkshare.com to get breastmilk for her 6 month old. He was a surrogate baby, so my friend can't nurse. She lives in Hinsdale and could pick it up from you if you'd like to donate it. Please contact me at ____@____.com if you'd like. Thanks!
