I recently heard about women donating their breastmilk to mom's who can't produce, but really want the health benefits for their babies. I almost take for granted that my body is producing milk for my newborn son and I would like to find out if there is a way to help out other mom's. If anyone has heard of doing something like this, please let me know. For those mom's who can produce milk, be thankful! It is a blessing and I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to give my baby breastmilk. Thanks.
Here is a great way to donate your milk! I wish I would have before I stopped nursing my last baby.
http://www.breastmilkproject.org/index.php
I would contact you local La Leche League leader. They can help you find some place. I there are places in the US that you can donate (milk banks), I'm not sure how it works, but I believe that they give you VERY specific guidelines for how to pump, and what to pump into, etc. and you ship your milk to them free of charge. You'd probably need some blood tests too. There are also some places that are not as strict that ship donated breast milk overseas (the US has a lot of regulations), and there I think you can donate milk that you have previously pumped and frozen. Here's a few sites, but I just googled it. La Leche League is a good resource, as would be a hospital, I think. It's a really amazing thing to be so giving as to donate your breast milk. Most moms are so overwhelmed, they just want to produce for their own children (myself included). I hope you pursue this, you would help so many moms and babies so much!
K.
http://www.dietitian.com/milkbank.html
http://www.breastfeeding.com/all_about/all_about_milk_ban...
No suggestions, but gosh, I would have LOVED to talk to you in 2006, when I cared for a preemie, drug-exposed foster child!!
Milk banks are an awesome way to help other mothers. I'm not sure which is the best, but many provide you the shipping supplies (like dry ice and containers). Some stay local and some go international. Whatever you want to do, I think it's great. You should ne able to google and find what you need to know.
I think you're amazing for wanting to donate your milk - a truly noble act. I would wait a bit if I were you though. Unless you're willing to religiously pump every 2 hours, your body will adjust and just make enough to feed your son. Because he is so young, I would wait a few months to see his eating habits before dedicating yourself to producing milk for others. I have always been able to produce ample milk (basically enough for twins or more) but when I looked into donation, you have to go through a lot and I think you have to be screened before even giving birth. I'm pretty sure you had to have had a natural child birth (no drugs/anesthesia etc.) and haven't taken ANYTHING afterwards as well (tyleno, motrin, advil, etc.) Never mind that they even look into your family history of diseases etc. I wish you the best in your decision and find your selflessness of wanting to help others inspiring. Take care and congratulations on your newbie!
