Milk Donor

amackattack · July 2014

Yesterday's post about how babies have different needs has got me thinking. I have been super lucky to not have any problems with breastfeeding, and I am now thinking about becoming a breastmilk donor. I have a call out to the milk bank in my state (Mother's Milk Bank of Ohio) to get more information about it. I know you have to go through health and drug screens, and they pasteurize the milk, combine it with other donor milk, and distribute the milk to NICUs, clinics and hospitals.

Have you ever donated breastmilk, and if so, how was the experience (volume requirement, time limit, etc)?

Anyone know of any other organizations besides the Mother's Milk Bank?

Does anyone happen to know if families have to pay for the breastmilk that they receive a prescription for if they are unable to produce it? I want to make sure they are getting my donations for free.

If your LO was in the NICU and you were unable to produce breastmilk, is donated breastmilk something that you would be interested in?

Just curious to see if anyone has any experience with this or has thought about becoming a donor!

rainbowdashh · July 2014

I applied to become a donor through a group called Milkin' Mamas. The recipients of the donor milk do not have to pay for it, at least through them. I'm pretty sure that most milk banks don't charge people!

I remember planning on sending my first donation when I had 300oz to send, but I can't remember if that was their policy or if I just wanted to send less times.

In the end, I couldn't donate and I was really upset. They require bloodwork to be done through an outside lab and I came up as positive for Hep C. I panicked and went to my own doctor who ran multiple tests each showing that I did not have Hep C. I was told false positives weren't uncommon in an outside lab like that, but because I came up positive, I'm not allowed to donate.

drby126 · July 2014

Great questions! I had tons of milk with DS1 but didn't donate it to the local breast milk bank. Instead, I supplied my friends with frozen milk - they already know me and know I don't drink, smoke or have allergies.

This time around, I'm interested to learn more about the donation process!

curlylocks3 · July 2014

You could also try contacting a local hospital directly. Some larger hospitals with level 3 NICUs have their own milk banks.
We would not have had to pay for donor milk while in NICU IF our kids met their criteria for getting it. When I was told they didn't, I asked about paying for it and they told me no.
So with that in mind, you could also see if there are commercial banks available. There are many reasons why breast milk is not an option for some families and not everyone can get a prescription but some might still pay for it. I don't know if others pay for it if they purchase directly from the milk bank or if that's an insurance benefit, in which case it might vary widely.

Unknown · July 2014

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bhead81 · July 2014

Some milk banks do charge by the oz and the ones I looked at were $2-4/oz. Luckily I found 2 organizations that have chapters all over the US where people can donate directly to each other. I am matched with a wonderful lady that is donating every week to me. Try Human Milk for Human Babies and Eats in Feets. Both do to have any requirements to donate as all they do is provide the ways to match with those that need it.

amackattack · July 2014

Thanks everyone for the info..I will look into those other organizations! @ohyealovely, was there a time limit on how long you had to collect and send the 300 oz?

rainstar752 · July 2014

My son was in the NICU and got donated breastmilk for the first week he was there. After that, they don't offer donated milk any more because it's quite expensive for the hospital- $4/oz or so. I was very happy that they offered donated milk because my milk didn't come in until day 5.

But, I don't know if the banks donate the milk for free if you can't produce. My understanding is that they have to charge quite a bit because the pasteurization and screening process is pricey. I think there is like a facebook group that allows you to more informally share breastmilk- but there's no pasteurization in that case.

amackattack · July 2014

Thanks @rainstar752! If you don't mind my asking...did you have to pay for that first week of breastmilk??

I did check out the facebook group human milk 4 human babies and there was only one person in need in my area who was looking, and they were looking for vegan and dairy free milk (which I'm neither), but will keep searching around!

rainbowdashh · July 2014

I want to say that there was no time frame. It was a donate when you could type of thing

bhead81 · July 2014

Lcgroenewe said:
Thanks @rainstar752! If you don't mind my asking...did you have to pay for that first week of breastmilk??

I did check out the facebook group human milk 4 human babies and there was only one person in need in my area who was looking, and they were looking for vegan and dairy free milk (which I'm neither), but will keep searching around!

If you post that you are looking to donate you may get more responses. My experience is people don't post as often that they need it but wait for someone to post they have some.

MrsCase1 · July 2014

@ohyealovely i would've died ten thousand deaths at that false positive. Sorry for that terrible experience.

steprozz · July 2014

yay! I just found someone who needs my freezer stash on my local human milk for human babies page! I had never heard of it until this thread and I'm so happy someone can use it and I don't have to (cringe) throw it away!!

flerlgirl · July 2014

I can only answer the last part - DS got mostly donor milk in the NICU for most of his time there. I was so grateful that people had donated. Thanks for donating to whoever winds up getting it.

babybean82 · July 2014

Liam got donor milk in the NICU before my supply came in, we didn't have to pay for it. I have also considered donating because I have over 400 ounces of frozen milk that he can't have because of his milk allergy.

ElTrain5 · July 2014

.....bodybuilding?! Does this mean if I skim off of my freezer stash I can finally get that six pack?

rainbowdashh · July 2014

MrsCase1 said:
@ohyealovely i would've died ten thousand deaths at that false positive. Sorry for that terrible experience.

@MrsCase1‌ I was hysterical at first trying to think of how I could have gotten it. The call I got from my doctor telling me I didn't have it was so relieving.

purtz · July 2014

We needed supplement milk for DD because I was not producing and she was so underweight. I am so grateful that we could easily get donor BM. For anyone that does have more than they need, thank you in advance for donating! Many mammas need your help!!

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