Donated breast milk?? Safe for my baby?

LiFeIsAmIrAcLe · February 2014

So, my sister-in-law knows a girl who has been breast feeding her child but now is waiting on test results to see if there's something her baby is allergic to. If her son is allergic, she has 460 ounces of pumped breast milk that she is donating to whoever wants it.

When offered to me, of course I jumped at the chance. That's a lot of breast milk to have on hand, especially if I struggle breast feeding at first. But the more and more I think about it, I'm just wondering if it's safe for my baby? It would be different I think if I knew this girl personally. My sister-in-law doesn't really know her either. BUT, on the other hand, we're both of the opinion that she wouldn't have been breast feeding her own child with this milk if she was on drugs or something like that.

Opinions??

cdnmomma · February 2014

I'd probably pass. Bm needs to be stored at a certain temp to ensure the nutrient value is maintained. Plus you don't really know her / her lifestyle so that would make me a bit uncomfortable.

VineyardMel · February 2014

Nope, not for me. I would only accept milk through a milk bank. Too many unknowns to give my baby someone else's milk that wasn't tested.

Stephout · February 2014

I don't know if this makes me a bad person, but I find the thought of donated breast milk very strange. ESPECIALLY from strangers. I understand the motivation behind it... you just never know exactly what you are getting. But I know people do it so its just a personal hangup for me.

Excitedmum35 · February 2014

Chances are you probs won't have any problems breast feeding- I'd pass too.
Maybe she could donate to a hospital? Or they might not take it either.

ring_pop · February 2014

I wouldn't take a personal donation, no. Would she consider donating it to a milk bank? There they'll test it and match it up with a recipient in need.

LiFeIsAmIrAcLe · February 2014

Thank you for all your responses.......the more I think about it, I am really not comfortable with it. And I asked my DH and he said absolutely not. So I guess that answers that!

clo1982 · February 2014

I'm sure it's fine but I would pass. If your baby doesn't react favorably, you won't have a clue what she ate or anything that could cause it and then you may be forced to throw it away which would just be a huge waste. I agree that she should donate to a milk bank.

SmittyPants · February 2014

Nope.

lalaith50 · February 2014

I'm also in the "I'm sure it's fine" camp, but I also think it's something that is weird to be stocking up on; like PP said, most likely you will be fine breastfeeding. I'd have no problem taking it if I actually couldn't BF. While not ideal, "Someone who knows someone" is still totally different than like, finding it on the side of the road...

sebullows · February 2014

I may sound really ignorant when I say this, because I'm not even sure if this is possible, but I'd be worried about diseases the mother may have.. can HIV be passed through breast milk?

if be nervous about that mostly.
I think what @laura8388 said is a great idea.

KariB509 · February 2014

As everyone else said, there's nothing wrong with donated milk but it's just not for me. I've seen pages on Facebook about human breast milk donation so it's definitely a real thing. If I were ever in that situation, I'd rather take donated milk from a hospital, where it's tested, not from a stranger or really even a friend. Like I said, I'd rather it be tested, as legal and illegal drugs pass through to breast milk, as well as possibly HIV and other infectious diseases (although they're not really 100% certain on that, I still wouldn't want to risk it).

[Deleted User] · February 2014

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megs68 · February 2014

I have donated some milk in the past and would again if I have more than I need. I would rather give my young baby donor breast milk than formula. In your case, though, I'd probably decline and suggest she either give to an organization (human milk for human babies is one or Eats on Feets) since you are probably going to be fine breastfeeding and you don't want in aging in your freezer for the next few months. For those interested, these organizations are on facebook and can match up donors and recipients in your area. They are a great way to get/give breastmilk to babies if the circumstances are such that the mom cannot produce.

jrw526 · February 2014

megs68 said:
I have donated some milk in the past and would again if I have more than I need. I would rather give my young baby donor breast milk than formula. In your case, though, I'd probably decline and suggest she either give to an organization (human milk for human babies is one or Eats on Feets) since you are probably going to be fine breastfeeding and you don't want in aging in your freezer for the next few months. For those interested, these organizations are on facebook and can match up donors and recipients in your area. They are a great way to get/give breastmilk to babies if the circumstances are such that the mom cannot produce.

This exactly. I have donated milk to a local mom as well as a mom from my DS BMB, but I would not take breast milk at this point in the game.

jennybean80 · February 2014

Breast milk through a milk bank is tested for bacteria and the moms are screened for disease (just like blood donors). Then the milk is pasteurized and retested. Our babes are getting donor human milk until my production increases, but I'd be uncomfortable taking milk from unscreened sources.

aLsMay24 · February 2014

I'd decline because at this point the chances of you using that much milk by the time it would not be safe for use is slim. Using it just to use it will hurt your supply. I'm all for donating and hope I can this time. Milk banks rule out donations for silly things that I myself would be fine if a mother took. If you do run into issues and were given this opportunity again I'd have a long conversation with a donor before accepting but more than likely I would.

ProudMommy030614 · February 2014

With ds#2 I had tons extra and donated to a milk bank but I wouldn't accept milk tested or otherwise. It's just my preference, but if you were I would suggest a bank and not a private donation.

LiFeIsAmIrAcLe · February 2014

I agree with all of you. I'm new at all this, but the mere idea of not knowing her at all, not knowing her lifestyle, and not knowing how long that milk has been frozen already just makes me really uneasy.

dannie2011 · February 2014

I agree with the above comments but wanted to add. If she has that much milk stored how long has it been stored and by the time you need it (if you did accept) it may no longer be good.

megs68 · February 2014

I just did a quick google search and found this article that may be helpful for those looking to weigh the pros and cons of informal donor milk vs formula. https://www.phdinparenting.com/blog/2010/11/28/risks-of-informal-breastmilk-sharing-versus-formula-feeding.html. I only skimmed it, but it seemed unbiased and raised some good points with each,

bingbongsmama · February 2014

VineyardMel said:
Nope, not for me. I would only accept milk through a milk bank. Too many unknowns to give my baby someone else's milk that wasn't tested.

I'm all about breast milk, and I worked hard to provide my DD with it for over 2 years. But I 100% agree with this.
formula is a perfectly fine option and I would give my child formula before feeding her bodily fluids from a stranger. HIV is no joke and it's a very real possibility

hjw101 · February 2014

I've used donor milk before, but it has always been donated by people I know and trust. I agree with pp and see if she can donate it to a local milk bank.

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