Namastè!
One of the gray area of breastfeeding is milk donation. When a mother is unable to breastfeed her own infant, instead of formula she may turn to donor programs.
Curious about how that works?
Say less.
I have donated nearly 275K ounces in just under 2.5 years, so I know the ins, outs, and caveats of milk donation. I'll share the most common questions I get, and as always you are welcome to email me or find me on FB if you have additional inquiries.
Brass tacks...
Is it safe?
Donor milk is safer for most babies than formula, especially in immuno-compromised infants.
Aren't the moms afraid their baby will get sick from donated milk?
For my own peace of mind, as well as additional comfort for my milky recipients, I am tested and cleared through a donor program. I update these tests every 3 months. I keep a detailed food journal (for my own purposes as well) so we can identify any potential allergen or irritant.
Why do you do all the extra work?
It isn't really extra work for me. I have an oversupply, which means I make far more than my own baby could drink. My freezer stash often overflows if a milky recipient is even two days late picking up their portion. Plus, the milk has a shelf life of one year if deep frozen. I don't like to think how much I'd have to throw out if I couldn't share with one who needs it.
Do you worry that your baby will run out?
My baby's stash is kept separate from the donor stash, and because my baby also latches and feeds directly I am definitely not worried about running out. Milk is supply and demand, and due to me actively nursing as well as pumping for comfort (while it's not good to pump to empty with oversupply, it's still very difficult to sleep on rock boobs so I have to get a good amount out) I am sure we will have more than enough. Our personal stash is at 500 ounces so far anyway, more than she'd eat and bathe in, in two or three months easily.
It seems kind of gross.
I guess that's a matter of personal opinion. I find cow's milk and beef repulsive, but I don't call people gross for indulging in milk or eating a juicy cheeseburger. I'd much rather give my baby donor milk than possibly dance through hoops to find the right chemical formula. *shrugs*
Are you freelance or affiliated with a hospital program?
Both, actually. I have helped three babies (in addition to my toddler) meet the one year plus mark via freelance or peer to peer, and I don't even know how many have received my liquid gold through the official donor programs I periodically ship coolers of milk off to.
Is it expensive for you?
No. I purchase my own bags in bulk (yay, Amazon!). The milky families often gift me bags or pump parts. I have several sponsorships with my pump companies as well, so very rarely do I actually need to purchase anything. It can be time consuming, but I'd be doing the same amount of pumping anyway.
Does it pay well?
I wouldn't know--I only donate my milk to babies. I refuse to sell, and I'm not compensated through my official (read, not peer-to-peer but hospital lab) companies. I do receive nice tokens of appreciation sometimes (I've gotten gift cards, baby gifts, my favorite foods, and even flowers), but that's not required either. At the risk of sounding cheesy it just feels really good to help another mom meet her goal. Again, I'd be doing the same amount of pumping even if I wasn't a donor.
How long will you do it?
I'll donate milk as long as I am actively nursing and pumping. Working on my third year and haven't slowed up much yet!
As long as you do your due diligence--i.e. making sure the mom's diet does not clash with what your baby can handle, agreeing to set pickup times, and just generally getting a good understanding with your donor mom--the milk donation process should be seamless.
In case you missed the link above, you can read here to find out how I began and what programs I affiliate with, as I press forth being a milk fairy mama!
