Would you accept donor milk?

kittyh8r · May 2014

The tl;dr version is the last paragraph.

Amelia has always been on fortified bm, and has always been "spitty". She wasn't able to be laid on her back, due to aspiration. After her last open heart surgery, she developed chylothorax. She needed to be on a fat free formula. Throw up, every where. All the time. Once the 6 weeks were up, I was supposed to switch her back to fortified bm, but decided to skip fortifying it, and give it to her straight. She hasn't thrown up since! Life has been so good! I called the dr a couple days later to tell them and was prepared to fight for what I wanted, but they said "as long as she grows, she is fine."

I pumped(auto correct changed this to pimp) for 4 months. We completely filled our chest freezer with milk, but now we are down to almost half.

I reached out to a milk bank, and have also been in contact with donors. I picked up 200oz from someone yesterday, and will pick up more from the bank tomorrow. (All donors were screened by the mothers milk alliance)

My mil thinks this is gross. Whatevs, I just want the kid to grow and stop throwing up.

Wdyt? Would you consider donor milk? I guess I didn't even consider this being weird or gross until my mil said something.

backoffunicorn · May 2014

I would If I were in your situation. If she's throwing up a ton from formula, I'd try anything.

cboink · May 2014

I can understand (sorta) how someone might think its weird but I would still accept donor milk if I needed to. Absolutely, with out a doubt.

lp0 · May 2014

Honestly I probably couldn't give it unless it was completely medically necessary. At least it's through a milk bank that screens donors but I just feel you are at the mercy of a stranger's word.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with it though so if you're comfortable then go for it.

Caitlinh27 · May 2014

MarBee1214 said:
In your situation I would do it.

But just as an alternative to formula, I wouldn't

This is how I feel as well.

74dragonfly · May 2014

Since she seems to have issues with formula I'd do the donated milk but only from a screened bank.

Missykisses85 · May 2014

As long as it is screened yes i would.

iranwithscissors · May 2014

I would absolutely use it!!

nofcksgiven · May 2014

You and Amelia are the best reasons for someone to donate milk. As long as you're going through a bank, the milk has been screened, and you're comfortable with it, I say don't even entertain you MIL'S thoughts.

Although I can't say that people ever accept donated milk for the "wrong reasons," you are absolutely doing it for the best of reasons.

I hope Ms. Amelia is doing well.

mamashan12 · May 2014

In your situation, I'd take it in a heartbeat.

FutureMrsCaesar · May 2014

In your situation, I would in a heartbeat. It's clearly what is best for her and it's safe, that should be all that matters. Not if your MIL thinks it's 'gross.' Plus that's what the milk banks are there for, and why people who donate go through the trouble of being screened and pumping all the extra milk. Definitely take advantage of it.

You've done an amazing job of taking care of your LO, no need to second guess yourself because your MIL thinks something is 'gross.'

kmommy07 · May 2014

I would use donor milk for my child if they had issues with formula no thinking required, on the other side of this I have several friends that donate to milk banks and I think they are wonderful but I have heard that they are very expensive and charge by the ounce. I have been contemplating on donating some of my stash to hm4hb but I keep getting paranoid that I will need that milk. I would have to drive 2-3 hours min to donate to a certified bank.

melco19 · May 2014

Absolutely! The milk is screened through a pretty extensive process, and if someone takes the time to go through all that to donate, I imagine they are good people.

BootsOrHearts · May 2014

I think it's fine, I'm glad you found something that works for her! That little girl has been through so much. She deserves anything and everything that will make her happy and healthy. I just want to pick her up and hug her every time i see her picture.

I'm LOLing at pimp too. Teehee!

cboink · May 2014

dontstopbelievin said:
I drink milk from cows I've never met all the time. Seems less weird to get milk from people, since you know, it was made for people to consume. I'd do it!

I was going to write this same thing. Multiple cows on a daily basis.

fauxvegan · May 2014

Melco1984 said:

Absolutely! The milk is screened through a pretty extensive process, and if someone takes the time to go through all that to donate, I imagine they are good people.

This. Donors go through a lot of screening. Not just anybody can donate. They even do blood and DNA testing. That way you know the milk is clean. I'd do it.

kittyh8r · May 2014

mrsashleyk said:

riv06marce said:

Melco1984 said:

Absolutely! The milk is screened through a pretty extensive process, and if someone takes the time to go through all that to donate, I imagine they are good people.

This. Donors go through a lot of screening. Not just anybody can donate. They even do blood and DNA testing. That way you know the milk is clean. I'd do it.

I think they only screen at places where there is a (large) fee for the breastmilk. Places like human milk for babies don't screen. Or do they?

Not sure about hm4hb, but I'm going through mothers milk alliance. The only fee from them is to pay screening fees. It's $100 to get screened, and they don't charge donors, so if you get milk from them, they ask that you pay the fee. Because of our situation and medical bills, they waived the fee. We are outside their service area so they will only do a one time donation. Any little bit helps!

[Deleted User] · May 2014

The user and all related content has been deleted.

kmommy07 · May 2014

I know in my state they don't charge the donor but charge $4 p per oz. They say is the cost of pasturization. HM4MB doesn't charge but they also don't screen so you are taking a chance there.

jaykay627 · May 2014

I think it's awesome and would absolutely do it.

notkateanymore · May 2014

Nope, but I have zero issues with feeding a baby formula. In your case, I might use it since it sounds like she can't have formula?

kittyh8r · May 2014

KateMW said:
Nope, but I have zero issues with feeding a baby formula. In your case, I might use it since it sounds like she can't have formula?

She can have formula, but she throws up so much when she gets formula. Even when the breast milk is just fortified with formula.

I don't have any issue with formula. My original plan was to switch to formula when we ran out of milk, but i don't want the puking to start again!

Want a personalized experience?

Would you accept donor milk?

Re: Would you accept donor milk?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards