Request about milk banks/milk donors

[Blessed_Mom]

If I wanted to get in touch with someone local to donate me milk which (apart from the usual health concerns) was also free of certain allergens ...where should I look to get the best match?

Thanks

[pokeyAC]

I would google milk banks.  I know there is a bank in San Jose, California that ships.  In regards to informal donation, you may want to reach out to some local midwives, doulas or lactation consultants or La Leche League groups.. 

[ranchelmarie]

go to http://www.hm4hb.net/ (Human Milk 4 Human Babies), click on Community Pages and find your area. It'll redirect you to a Facebook page and you can post your need.
 

[Blessed_Mom]

Would milk banks have milk free of allergens then?

[Cavy]

I think allergen-free is a very specialist ask.   You haven't even said which allergens you want to avoid(?)

[Blessed_Mom]

Dairy, eggs, nuts primarily.

Fish and gluten and soy would be an added bonus.

Can I make such a specialized request to the milkbanks though? And will they be able to provide me with such breastmilk? What about pathogens? Will it be free of them at that point (since I am assuming they do a thorough search and also pasteurize(or equivalent..is that true?))

[pokeyAC]

Milk banks are regulated and must follow strict rules to ensure the safety of the milk.  Milk is a bodily fluid and the exchange of such can transmit diseases.  Here is some info from the bank in San Jose on testing and pasteurization.  I have heard of banks that will supply you with milk from a woman following a specific diet, but I don't know if San Jose does this.  You would just need to do some research on the different banks. 

[Melany]

When I donated to a milk bank in 2006, I don't remember giving a lot of information about my diet. They did ask if I was on any medications or taking supplements. I also had to have blood tests done to test for HIV and hepatitis. I'm not sure if the diet questions have changed in the past few years.

I have seen a FB page where woman post if they have extra milk and offer it up free of charge. There was info on diet and how it was stored, which would be important if you were taking from a non milk bank donor. You might poke around looking for that. When I had a lot of extra milk, I didn't know anyone who needed it, so I contacted the milk bank. 

[Blessed_Mom]

That was my understanding too.. that they test for drugs and diseases but not specialized diet free of allergens... but I will call and see if things have changed.

How does one go abut getting milk from milk banks?

[Melany]

Originally Posted by Blessed_Mom 

That was my understanding too.. that they test for drugs and diseases but not specialized diet free of allergens... but I will call and see if things have changed.

How does one go abut getting milk from milk banks?

I believe (don't quote me) that you need a prescription for a milk bank. I am not aware of a bank in WA.

I did come across this on FB. I cannot advocate anything about this site since I've never used it, but it could be something to look into.

http://milkshare.forumotion.com/f48-washington

[Blessed_Mom]

I called the milk bank and apparently ...sometimes.. they can get info about a mom being dairy-free but that doesn't come by often but that's it. No other allergens are asked about and no other info is maintained :-(

[pokeyAC]

The bank I was talking about that tells you the diet of the mom was on an episode of Pregnant in Heels this season.  It might be in New York or Los Angeles.  Sorry, that's all I remember.