Thinking of being a milk donor

[magrat]

I'm pregnant and due in March and for some time have been considering being a milk donor through milkshare. I had a very easy and successful breastfeeding relationship with #1, good supply, not a single problem. But I'm also pretty ignorant about pumping. I had a handheld one that I used occasionally as necessary for an evening out or what not, but obviously that would not be sufficient. Can anyone answer a few questions?

First, I don't want to pay full price for an electric pump. What do I need to know about buying a used one? What parts should be replaced, etc?

And second, would I be biting off more than I can chew? I'm going to have a newborn and a toddler, what kind of time commitment am I looking at when it comes to cleaning it and so on?

I figure even if I only do it for the first few months, that is the time when my milk would be most "in demand" for NICU parents or other babies with the greatest need. But those first few months can also be the most challenging and maybe I should focus on figuring out how to parent my own children and adjust to the changes without unnecessary complications. What do you think? Are there benefits beyond karma? I'm thinking I can pump a lot in the first few weeks and prevent the serious pain engorgement caused me last time, or will that have any negative consequences I haven't thought of?

[Cavy]

Originally Posted by magrat

...I'm also pretty ignorant about pumping. I had a handheld one that I used occasionally as necessary for an evening out or what not, but obviously that would not be sufficient. Can anyone answer a few questions?

First, I don't want to pay full price for an electric pump. What do I need to know about buying a used one? What parts should be replaced, etc?

And second, would I be biting off more than I can chew? I'm going to have a newborn and a toddler, what kind of time commitment am I looking at when it comes to cleaning it and so on? ... any negative consequences I haven't thought of?

I'm pretty sure that no affordable electric pump could b fully sterilised.
I always used a hand-held pump when I was donating -- not sure I'm allowed 2 say which one? Market leader, Egyptian Goddess name. That worked fine.

I let my rt breast get a bit full overnight & always pumped off that side, once each morning from about 2 weeks (DC1) and about 2 days (DC2). Froze into suitable bags & a friend took 2 milk bank (90 miles away, nr her parents' home) about once a month.

I pumped & donated for 3months+ after the birth of my 1st & 2nd babies. I am very happy I did it. Once I got a Premie-Unit Tour, get 2 C what happened 2 the milk, C some of the babies, too. I can't donate blood (I faint) so am SO glad I could donate milk.

Contact Ur nearest milk-bank 2 figure out if the logistix would work 4 U. U need blood tests, 2 fill in forms, 2 sterilise equipment, etc. Not much faff once U get into the routine.

[llwr]

I donated to the national milk bank with DD1. I was planning on doing it with DD2 as well, but after DD1 threw up and had a slight fever when DD2 was only 1 week old, I got scared and decided to pump for her instead, hoping it will help keep her well.

Anyway, when I donated in 2007, the national milk bank would provide a pump for free, and it was yours to keep. I didn't start until almost 4 months, just because it took me that long to get everything together and get the pump and all. It doesn't take me long at all to pump, but I do have a good supply and very fast let-down. To clean, I just put it in the dishwasher with my other dishes and use the steralize option. It may have been just the timing, but I felt it helped with the oversupply issue rather than making it worse.

Overall, a great experience.