Breast Milk Donation?

SteelCityBride · August 2010

Have any of you donated your breast milk? Breastfeeding is well established for us & I make a TON of milk. Sometimes when DS is done eating I wish he'd eat more because my boobs still hurt & if I pump I get several more ounces. I'm thinking of using this opportunity to donate.

I've been googling for organizations all morning & there are so many. So I was just wondering if any of you have looked into it & if so, what organization you chose & why. Thanks!

erinkate23 · August 2010

I looked into it on the flip side... I was trying to get donated milk. Didn't work out, but that's another story.

The official "milk banks" are regionalized, and they have stringent standards for donors. You have to take a blood test (they pay) and answer a lot of health questions and questions about your diet. "yours" would be this one:

https://www.ohiohealth.com/bodymaternity.cfm?id=1049

If you don't want to do the official route, MilkShare is an informal swap between local mothers. There is no "official" paperwork, and the only requirements are what the mom would ask from you.

Here's the forum:

https://milkshare.forumotion.com/

GPeterson24 · August 2010

I donated 700+ oz through MilkShare.com. I chose this organization because I had a ton already stored but didn't knew I couldn't donate it to a milk bank since I hadn't gone through their medical screening.

With MS it's more of an informal service that puts you in contact with people in your area (or out of your area) that need milk. You talk/email with them and if you're both mutually comfortable you donate.

The family I donated to added me on Facebook so I could "check them out" and we corresponded through email so I felt comfortable with them. When it was time to donate they actually drove 4 hours to my house with their baby so I could meet them in person (they had friends in the area so they also visited them, didn't just come to meet me).

Overall I am very happy with that site.

SteelCityBride · August 2010

Thanks! I had never heard of milkshare. I'll look into it. I think it would be very nice to meet the family & the baby that my breastmilk was going to.

I was looking itnto the International Breast Milk Project too.

https://www.breastmilkproject.org/

Anyone know anything or have any experience with this?

SoonToBeMrsLavigne · August 2010

I donated through a local support group run through the LC at the hospital. It was great to be able to help another mother and baby in my area. I found that donating to an organization for me was not an option. I didn't want someone to have to pay for breastmilk when I had someone locally who could use it.

HikerBride07 · August 2010

I also donated 1000+ oz. to two moms through MilkShare. Both were very positive experiences and I was so happy to meet the babies who were getting my milk.

lkstor · August 2010

SteelCityBride:
Thanks! I had never heard of milkshare. I'll look into it. I think it would be very nice to meet the family & the baby that my breastmilk was going to.

I was looking itnto the International Breast Milk Project too.

https://www.breastmilkproject.org/

Anyone know anything or have any experience with this?

I considered this, but didn't do it. Don't want to be tested for things (specifically HTLV) with uncertain clinical ramifications but potential negative effect on insurance rates, etc.

Want a personalized experience?

Breast Milk Donation?

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