[Raene]

I haven't had a nursling in 2 1/2 yrs, but I was just thinking about how I've been not doing as much as I could...I could have started up my milk supply by pumping and then could have been donating that milk to babies who need it...in these last few years that I've been not doing anything.

Is this a crazy idea for someone who's not lactating?

I do know the process and difficulty b/c I'd looked into adoptive breastfeeding. But it seems like it would be worth it to save some lives.

(I have these thoughts when I'm not pregnant, so yes, it doesn't really apply to me now...I wouldn't try it in my pregnancy...but just wondering if this is a crazy idea.)

 

[leighann79]

I think they try to match donated milk to babies of about the same age. So if you are pumping with a 3 month old they try to match it to a baby of about the same age that needs it. Many times they don't take milk after your nursling turns 12 months.

 

[mamarootoo]

if you're thinking of donating to a milk bank, you probably wouldn't qualify. i'm pretty sure they only take milk from mamas with less-than-a-year-old babies.
it's a sweet thought, but maybe you could try something else to help out? knitting hats for preemies, volunteering at a children's hospital, etc?

 

[DeannaK]

When my son was newly adopted, (at birth) I would have loved to have pumped milk to compliment his formula.

You may want to check with some adoptive mamas and see if your milk would be needed. I had one MDC mama pump milk and ship it to me. It was awesome. I also tried inducing lactation, but didn't produce very much, had bad nips and gave up.