donated milk?

[LilMomma83]

Would you use it? Why? Why not?

I've never thought about it before, but, my freezer stash is all used up and I have a 2 month old. A friend of mine offered some, and I am really considering it....I gave my first son formula, but, he was more like 4mos by the time I ran out of BM (weird, because I started with a bigger freezer stash this time...but, I think I am gone more hours--usually 12 hours a day, 5 days out of the week, and about 10 the other 2 days). I don't think formula is "the devil" or anything, but, I certainly think BM is better...just never thought about using another mama's before.

PLEASE: Please be kind, I'm not trying to make a debate or anything, I just really want some opinions from other mamas so that I can make a decision more easily.

[PatioGardener]

I'd be thrilled to use a friend's milk if I ran out. Nothing but breastmilk until 6 months really reduces the risk of illness, so I'd work hard try to get by until 6 months - and if a friend's milk could help me do that I'd jump on the chance.

Things I'd want to confirm with my friend: 1) she doesn't have an infection that can be transmitted by breastmilk, such as HIV. 2) She's not taking any medications that are contraindicated in breastfeeding (chemo, etc).

Sounds like you've got a great friend!

[phrogger]

Yes I would, but only if I knew the other mom was disease and drug free. My son who was a surrogate baby, got milk that I pumped and shipped, and milk from another woman I know who was a surrogate and delivered a week after me. I only had to pump for 3 months, she pumped for 2 and my son had BM for almost 8 months thanks to her help. His fathers were very happy with the milk. I ended up having so much and the dads had so much that I even donated what I had at my house to a family near by that had twins that the mom couldn't EBF herself. After she got my milk, I introduced her to a woman who was pg as a surrogate and that woman donated to the mom of the twins. Basically in a 6 month period of time, 3 babies had a mixture of my milk and two other women's milk. It was a great thing for all the kids.

[Samanthavv]

I've donated milk. So far 10 babies have had my milk, including my own two. And the moms are really grateful. I did however, show them my paperwork on my STD screenings... Because I know I would want it!

[detroitgirl77]

I would definitely use donor milk if I couldn't produce enough. When my 2nd son was born, I had a major oversupply--with my 1st, I could barely keep up with him. I ended up pumping and freezing over 4500 oz. I donated to a few different people--my sister, my cousin, a lady here and via milkshare. I still have a bit of a freezer stash that I'll never use that I need to donate soon.

[justKate]

Honestly I wouldn't give my LO donated milk, but I do milkshare and have donated to mamas here. I know that sounds hypocritical, so please don't flame me. I might be comfortable with it if it were someone I knew, or one of my DDC mamas. But I guess there is a way to pasturize BM, so that might be an option....

[LilMomma83]

Well, I spoke with her and she is getting bloodwork done soon, the milk is from when her child was near my child's age (and he has always looked super healthy to me). It is someone I know...I think I would feel weird giving my child milk from someone I don't know...to me it runs so much deeper than the nutrients, but, the whole "spirituality" of it etc. So I'm probably going to use it. Thanks for the input...just something I hadn't put much thought into other than I've always figured my sisters and I would nurse each other's babies if needed (none of them have babies right now though)..but, sisters is a little different. I mean, my child will be physically part of another women by drinking her milk...I don't take it lightly. Anyway, I was glad to read through other people's thoughts to help get my own mind spinning.

[rightkindofme]

I've donated and wouldn't have a problem with it. Good luck!

[roxyrox]

I would do almost anything to ensure only breast milk until the 6 month mark if it was pheasible.After that, if babe is on solids, a little formula wouldn't bother me.
If I had a <6mo and friends wanted to donate milk I would be :
Presumably they are also feeding their own baby and would have been screened in pregnancy for disease so I wouldn't worry about that aspect. (although I would check!)

[snsb]

When I was having problems BF my DS my SIL offered some of her excess BM to supplement. I thought that was so wierd! I ended up using formula. I think I would have been more receptive if it was not someone I knew. BF is such an intimate thing for me, just me and the baby. I didn't want another women (who I see on a regular basis) taking part in it. He was my first baby and I didn't want another women doing what I couldn't at that time. I guess I am selfish!!

[LilMomma83]

Originally Posted by snsb

When I was having problems BF my DS my SIL offered some of her excess BM to supplement. I thought that was so wierd! I ended up using formula. I think I would have been more receptive if it was not someone I knew. BF is such an intimate thing for me, just me and the baby. I didn't want another women (who I see on a regular basis) taking part in it. He was my first baby and I didn't want another women doing what I couldn't at that time. I guess I am selfish!!

Interesting story...because mt BIL fed my niece my breastmilk (that I had left because they were baby-sitting my son) when his wife quit BF..I felt uncomfortable because it seemed like he was using me to rub in her face that he disliked her choice not to BF.

I do feel sad that I'm not doing it on my own...this is my second baby that I haven't pumped enough for and the girl donating has pumped for months and donated and still has a surplus. I feel like there is some "bond" now that wasn't there before though.

I also feel sort of like my older son is "cheated" and it's not fair that one will be nearly EBF, while the other was nearly EFF.

[Lindsay1234]

My 4 month old is 100% donor milk fed! I had a Very low supply and she was in the NICU. Because dd2 was on tons of meds, I had to make sure that the donor mother wasnt on any sort of drug OR herb. I found her on milkshare.

Not only does my dd2 get fed, I formed a new relationship with another mom! Im SOOO grateful!!

[caiesmommy]

I've used it! My dh's cousin's wifes....she had a supply like I had never SEEN AND WILL PROB NEVER SEE AGAIN...I had no issues using her milk and she had no issues giving it to me...funny enough her twin sister wouldn't use it...I would donate/wet nurse anyones child

[Lindsay1234]

Originally Posted by caiesmommy

I've used it! My dh's cousin's wifes....she had a supply like I had never SEEN AND WILL PROB NEVER SEE AGAIN...I had no issues using her milk and she had no issues giving it to me...funny enough her twin sister wouldn't use it...I would donate/wet nurse anyones child

Thats how dds donor is, she feeds her lo 5 oz then pumps 20. Shes giving me about 500 oz every 2 weeks and pumps right before I show up and gives me 20 oz fresh for that day. Its insane. She said she had oversupply with all 4 kids and has donated every time!

[inkedmamajama]

we used donated milk all the time for our three girls-even though I had a great supply, I was totally unable to pump my milk-i never could get more than a few drops, even with a hospital rented pump.

so i got donated milk all the time to be able to give my children bottles when i had to be away from them, and it always went well.

donated milk is a great thing to have access to!

[kriket]

I too have donated and would use donor milk before formula. Actually, I wouldn't use formula unless I just could not get milk.

Now, go ask this question on a more 'mainstream' board and see what answers you get! I have found a lot of people think it's gross (and possibly irresponsible of me as a mother tho no one has said it to my face) to use another woman's milk.

[ShwarmaQueen]

Before 6 mos, absolutely.

[MountainMamaGC]

Before 6 months I would want my child to be EBF whether from me or donated milk. After 6 months I would want my child to have one serving of breastmilk a day if not more. I am so glad I did not have supply issues. I have no problems using donated milk. I would make sure the mother is screened and try to make sure I knew the person a bit, but other than that I would feel ok doing it.

[Kwgrlup]

I am pumping milk to donate aa I type this post. I would rather my daughter got donate BM then formula. I have donated to at least 10+ babies over my 8+ years of nursing. One was my nephew who i pumped for 16+ months. I am now presently pumping for my niece going on 3 months.... I agree i would just want to know the mothers background before getting milk.