Experience with purchasing breast milk?

nhardler

Hello moms to be!  

My SO and I are lucky to be expecting twins in May via gestational carrier.  After speaking with our GC, she is concerned that she won't be able to produce enough milk to feed two babies.  Does anyone have any experience with purchasing breast milk?  If so, any tips?  

mamabird515

It’s illegal to sell breast milk (at least in CA- but I think everywhere). I have donated a ton before but the only “payment” was bag replacements from the mom. I know you typically look for mothers who are also nursing similar aged babies (although not entirely required) with you needing a constant stash, i would try to find several mamas that are willing to contribute to you and set up reoccurring pick ups. 

tincupchalice

Humanmilk4humanbabies - done via donation.  There are places you can buy but it's really pricey.

ivyvines6

I’m being nosey, but is it because you’re having twins, or is it because of a medical issue? 

This is is an article I read about it a few months back, which has some different company’s names listed you can check out. (It doesn’t mention anything about it being illegal, and I’m pretty sure that’s not true.)

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/04/20/kaiser-going-1-ounce/100708268/

mamabird515

@ivyvines6 I think because @nhardler is using a surrogate she’s unsure that the surrogate will be able to provide enough. 
Also, through HM4HB it is illegal to sell milk and is sited through CBC. It may be different if you go through a dr since they are storing?

ivyvines6

Yeah my reading comprehension is shit right now... Thank you for pointing out what she clearly stated in the OP because I didn’t catch it.

theletlers

@ivyvines6 thanks for that article. Definitely a good read! 

@nhardler if the surrogate can't keep up and you need donor milk you can always look into your local La Leche League or similar group. There might be something locally done to connect moms with extra milk with those who need more. Also just finding people you know and trust can be helpful. With DS I had such an oversupply and donated to several moms who were in need. For one person I even agreed to pump specifically for her because she was going back to work and constantly found herself about 5/6 oz a day shy. Maybe you could find someone like that to help out near you. 
But HM4HB is a great site to check out and get in touch with a few people. 

holli0801

Selling is illegal but I agree with donation from  Human Milk for Human babies, look for local Facebook groups etc ... likely you will have a local Eats for Feets group as well. 

sandbar517

OP, any reason your GC doesn't think she can't supply enough for two babies?  The body is an amazing thing, and it works on supply and demand, so as long as she's pumping often enough, she shouldn't have any problems.  I breastfed my twin girls for the first year, pumped when I went back to work, and had a small stash leftover when I was done.