Mixed feelings about donation

desdemona39

I donated 106oz of BM today.

I stopped pumping at work 3.5 months ago, and LO refuses any milk but straight from the tap (even though I went from part time to full time 1.5 months ago). It wasn't being used, and I didn't want to see all that hard work go down the drain, so I donated to a local mama through HM4HB. I'm glad to help another mother and baby out.

However, I know it sounds crazy, but now I'm feeling guilty for not holding onto that milk for LO, since it was meant for her to begin with. I only kept 20oz, and I sort of feel like I'm short changing her, even though I know she wasn't drinking it. Kind of like it wasn't mine to give away.

Maybe it's because I had low supply issues and supplemented with formula (I didn't know about donor milk then) for the 1st 2 months prior to starting reglan and then domperidone.

No real point to this post except to get it out. Maybe someone feels/felt this way? Can someone tell me I'm not crazy?

tokenhoser

I think it's okay to mourn the fact that things didn't go the way you wished with that milk. I only had about 25 oz in the freezer, and I was a bit sad/mad when I realized that DS was never going to drink it. He quit bottles at about 5 months, and I gave it away when he was 6 months or so. I couldn't imagine tossing it, so I was glad it had a good home.

Good for you for helping out another baby. 

aglenn

I donated a whole chest freezer full after DD turned one.  She was a bottle hater and I always pumped more than she would take.  It was a weird feeling to give it all away!  I know what you mean.  But once I met the mama and baby who were taking it I felt a lot better and was proud to be able to give them that gift. 

The chest freezer is getting packed again already this time around (pumping for DS), and I keep thinking I should donate part of it to someone now, but I'm hanging onto it for a while. 

desdemona39

Aww the mama just sent me a pic of her LO drinking the milk and a caption that said "thank you so much". This makes me feel a bit better.

Who knew a mom could have separation anxiety from her milk, lol!

GibsonGirl620

desdemona39:

Aww the mama just sent me a pic of her LO drinking the milk and a caption that said "thank you so much". This makes me feel a bit better.

Who knew a mom could have separation anxiety from her milk, lol!

Wow, what an amazing gift you've given them!  

Teresa1896

GibsonGirl620:

desdemona39:

Aww the mama just sent me a pic of her LO drinking the milk and a caption that said "thank you so much". This makes me feel a bit better.

Who knew a mom could have separation anxiety from her milk, lol!

Wow, what an amazing gift you've given them!  

Absolutely this.

You spent so much time and energy to get that milk! Of course it's hard to see it go away, but now it's helping another baby to grow and flourish instead of just your own.  How many people can say their milk did that)  

greeneyed_bride

desdemona39:

Aww the mama just sent me a pic of her LO drinking the milk and a caption that said "thank you so much". This makes me feel a bit better.

This made my eyes a little misty!!

I can totally understand why you'd feel the way you do. Not at all crazy!! It's milk that you pumped for your baby, so I'm sure it feels weird to give it away.

But still, awwwwww! So sweet!