BM Donation Question

RingOfFire11 · July 2014

Anyone here with experience?

DD2 is MSPI, plus other intolerances, so I have a bunch (about 250oz) of "tainted" milk I plan to donate. I posted it on HM4HB in my area and got a 8 requests! How do I decide? Is it inappropriate to ask questions (i.e. age of baby) or just go first come first serve? I looked at the first person's facebook page and their baby turns 1 next month. I guess I envisioned donating to a family with a baby closer in age. I guess I'm looking for feedback or experience. TIA!

BootsOrHearts · July 2014

I don't have any helpful advice but I think it's great that you're donating!

vvvvvfee · July 2014

that's great that you're donating!

i don't have any experience donating myself, but you could certainly say you'd prefer to give it to a baby under 6 months (i don't think that's unreasonable), or split it among a couple of different people (have everyone meet you in one public location and do all the drop-offs at once).

RingOfFire11 · July 2014

vvvvvfee said:

that's great that you're donating!

i don't have any experience donating myself, but you could certainly say you'd prefer to give it to a baby under 6 months (i don't think that's unreasonable), or split it among a couple of different people (have everyone meet you in one public location and do all the drop-offs at once).

Great idea! Thanks!!

RingOfFire11 · July 2014

jfresh said:

My first instinct is to say go with the first person just to be fair. I donated to a milk bank that supplies milk to NICUs, from personal experience it was important to me that my milk to go preemies or sick babies. I think I'd want to give the milk to a newborn/younger infant rather than an almost one year old. The littles need it more IMO. It's a hard decision but a great thing you're doing!

See, this is exactly the dilemma I am having. I would SO MUCH rather give to preemies or sick babies. That idea makes me so happy. I can't find any milk banks in my area though and the hospitals don't accept from what I've been told. Someone else mentioned HM4MB so figured I'd try that route but I expected much younger babies to be in need.

kjsmith9 · July 2014

RingOfFire11 said:

jfresh said:

My first instinct is to say go with the first person just to be fair. I donated to a milk bank that supplies milk to NICUs, from personal experience it was important to me that my milk to go preemies or sick babies. I think I'd want to give the milk to a newborn/younger infant rather than an almost one year old. The littles need it more IMO. It's a hard decision but a great thing you're doing!

See, this is exactly the dilemma I am having. I would SO MUCH rather give to preemies or sick babies. That idea makes me so happy. I can't find any milk banks in my area though and the hospitals don't accept from what I've been told. Someone else mentioned HM4MB so figured I'd try that route but I expected much younger babies to be in need.

You can still do milk banks even if you don't live near one. The one we used shipped us a cooler, and paid to have it shipped back to them (it got to the bank <12 hours after we shipped it). HM4HB is great too, just wanted to make sure you knew about shipping

blondie10m · July 2014

I donated to the nearest hmbana milk bank 3 states away and they require a minimum 200 oz donation so the milk stays frozen so you would qualify. They pay to have your blood tested and ship you a cooler that you overnight back to them. Their milk is then pasteurized and primarily goes to nicus. They are non profit too.

lizshort96 · July 2014

I donated 500+oz thru Eats on Feets in my state. I had no previous experience. The first mom who responded had a LO a few months older than mine but had health issues and pointed me to the kids FB page. A few other moms with newborns also responded after I told original mom she could have it all. If I have the opportunity to do it again, I'll divide up the quantity so that perhaps 2 or 3 babies could benefit. I will tell you that whoever gets it will be *very* grateful for your and your LO's selfless act

jllmb79 · July 2014

I went with the first responder on HM4HB. She just lucked out that my husband works at the airport an was willing to drop it off at the cargo terminal. I figured if someone was willing to pay for it to go on an airline flight then they must really need it.

Aliki · July 2014

RingOfFire11 said:

jfresh said:

My first instinct is to say go with the first person just to be fair. I donated to a milk bank that supplies milk to NICUs, from personal experience it was important to me that my milk to go preemies or sick babies. I think I'd want to give the milk to a newborn/younger infant rather than an almost one year old. The littles need it more IMO. It's a hard decision but a great thing you're doing!

See, this is exactly the dilemma I am having. I would SO MUCH rather give to preemies or sick babies. That idea makes me so happy. I can't find any milk banks in my area though and the hospitals don't accept from what I've been told. Someone else mentioned HM4MB so figured I'd try that route but I expected much younger babies to be in need.

It is your milk, and I politely disagree with PP. I would go with the person (or persons) I felt needed it most.. just because someone replied the fastest because they were on FB or on their smartphone, doesn't mean they are most "deserving" (of course, what is the definition of deserving...)

And I agree with other PP that said sometimes there are many mamas who have healthy babies but just can't breastfeed and dont' qualify for hospital stuff.. they are good candidates too!

Good luck and let us know what happens!

Dzejmij912 · July 2014

I think whatever you decide, someone will be grateful! I also donated on HM4HB but I responded to a request for milk. A woman with twins who was looking for a possible long term situation. I am going continue to donate what I can while she rebuilds supply. She even sent me a picture after the girls ate their first ounces of my milk. An incredibly rewarding situation and it really helped to humanize it! Good luck!

Teresa1489 · July 2014

I use HM4HB also. I just responded to someone's "need" post and we went from there. Today I'm making my 4th donation and it just worked out that her LO is about the age mine was when I pumped so it's exactly what I was looking for. Just do what feels best to you and I agree it's a totally rewarding experience!

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