WDYT...BM from SIL

ProwdMommy

My SIL and brother have a son who is 9 mos. old and has been EBF.  She is a teacher so while at work she would pump for him.  She now has a huge freezer stash of BM and is still BFing.  Anyway, she will have lots left over that she will not use once she weans him at one year. 

 I  BF my boys but they get the occassional bottle of formula too because I can't usually find the time to pump. For instance, when we leave the house or if DH feeds them.  So SIL says that she will give my any leftover BM that she has.  I am not sure how I feel about that.  I guess it is better than them getting formula, right?  Not that I am oppossed to formula at all. 

She is very healthy, nonsmoker, etc.  So I have no worries that her BM is good.  I am just curious what others might do in this situation.

hunt2005

Medically/safety wise as long as she froze it properly and you're not concerned about health issues, I don't see why not.

Personally, you just have to decide if that's okay with you. I know people that have used the BM banks before at hospitals and such, so at least this is coming from family who you know. My friend also had her sister BF her daughter a couple times right after delivery while her milk was trying to come in so they could avoid bottles in the beginning... I'd say it really just depends on your relationship with your SIL more than anything. I'm not sure me and my SIL would do the same, but we're 3000 miles away and so we've never gotten that close bond that we could if we were closer.

MamaCrystal

Hmm, not sure!  I am wondering if your babies would take the milk from another woman after having yours for 5 months, though.  I do know that breastmilk changes for your babies' needs, which makes me think her milk would be a slightly different composition than yours (also based on different diets, etc.).

It's an interesting topic... I've heard of donating milk, but I don't know what kind of testing it undergoes before use, or how it gets assigned to certain babies.

caden

It's cheaper than formula and easier than pumping so I'd totally do it. 

leviandlandensmom

caden:

It's cheaper than formula and easier than pumping so I'd totally do it. 

No kidding! Plus if it's coming from someone you know and trust that's even better. I'd definitely take her up on that.

SpinningJess

MamaCrystal:

Hmm, not sure!  I am wondering if your babies would take the milk from another woman after having yours for 5 months, though.  I do know that breastmilk changes for your babies' needs, which makes me think her milk would be a slightly different composition than yours (also based on different diets, etc.).

It's an interesting topic... I've heard of donating milk, but I don't know what kind of testing it undergoes before use, or how it gets assigned to certain babies.

This is really the only thing that would make me hesitate.  HOW MUCH breast milk changes based on baby's age is beyond me.  Overall, I'd probably go for it, becuase I like the idea of BM so much more than formula.  (Plust like pp say - it's free!)  the only thing I would never consider is actually having someone else nurse my child, I know they use to do that in the old days, hire a wet nurse, but that idea is uber creepy to me.

Temp6313048411121614

I don't know what the issue is.  Many people donate their BM (so if you're not interested in using it, I would direct her to an organization that will take it) for preemie babies in NICU (not sure what the requirements are to use it).  I FF my twins, so I'm not flaming anyone that used formula, but personally I believe "breast is best", so I would use it.  I think it's wonderful that she would even offer it to you.  There are many surrogate instances where the surrogate will pump for the intended parents so the baby can have breast milk.  GL with your decision, you just have to do what's right for your family and what feels right.

OrangeSmoke

Aussie*s_Mom:

I don't know what the issue is.  Many people donate their BM (so if you're not interested in using it, I would direct her to an organization that will take it) for preemie babies in NICU (not sure what the requirements are to use it).  I FF my twins, so I'm not flaming anyone that used formula, but personally I believe "breast is best", so I would use it.  I think it's wonderful that she would even offer it to you.  There are many surrogate instances where the surrogate will pump for the intended parents so the baby can have breast milk.  GL with your decision, you just have to do what's right for your family and what feels right.

This exactly!

I would have LOVED to be in your shoes.  Personally, I'd take her up on it in a h/b!

Sharra711

I was about to take milk from a good friend who had an oversupply because I was fighting my own and would have rather her had a supplimental bottle of someone else's BM than formula, because it's FREE