My baby girl is almost 4 months old, and I am still nursing, and desperately want her to get breastmilk until she is a year old. However, I've been back at work since she was 8 weeks old, and pumping at work has been harder than I thought it would be (I teach Pre-K), and I've quickly run out of my frozen breastmilk supply. Now, I'm simply pumping to give it to her the next day, and usually she has formula for most of her feedings while I'm at work. I know that formula is ok, I just really wanted to nurse. Also, because I'm not pumping as much as she's needing to eat, my milk supply has depleted enough that sometimes, she is not satisfied by nursing, which just breaks my heart.
All that said, one of my closest friends has a daughter that is 6 months old. She's a SAHM, so she's able to nurse for every feeding, and she has a huge supply of frozen milk that she will never be able to use. She has offered it to me, and I'm interested, but I'm not really sure if this is something that's ok... or normal... I asked my pediatrician about it, but he had never really heard of this situation and was just able to tell me what the AAP has to say, which is that without the proper sterilization that a milk bank uses, infectious diseases can be passed on. This definitely makes sense, however, I'm really close to this mom. I know for a fact she doesn't have any infectious diseases. She and her husband both abstinent until marriage, so there is no risk of STDs. I know them as parents, and I know how she takes care of her baby girl. I also know she wouldn't do anything that could be harmful to mine.
I was just wondering if anyone has been in or has heard of anyone using someone else's breastmilk when it wasn't from a milk-bank. Again, I really just want what's best for my baby. And I know breastmilk is best... so if I can safely give that to her, I want to. What are your thoughts?
I would do it if any of my girlfriend's were nursing as well, I dont see an issue with it. My whole family has had a serious history of issues breastfeeding, my son gets as muh as he can but if I were in your situation I would jump all over that you may even want to compensate her in some way and or purchase fenugreek or mother's milk tea to help you and her keep up supplies.
In my opinion you are truly blessed to have a friend like this & I would not hesitate to use her milk at all. I had trouble breasfeeding and actually considered asking a friend for milk but never did. My boy is now 15 months and very healthy so if you have to do formula (I recommend Similac Organic)it's really not bad either. Either way your baby should grow up stong and healthy. Do what you think is best & don't stress about it, I did, and in the end it was completely unnecessary. Good luck & God Bless You.
S.,
I really don't know anything about sharing milk...I would not think there was a problem if you are comfortable with it. I did however want to offer advise that came from my lactaction consultant if you do want to continue to breastfeed your baby:
She told me to pump every 3-4 hours, for at least 15-20 minutes(I was pumping just until the milk stopped) Also to increase my milk supply she said to take fenugreek. I took Natures Way Fenugreek 610mg..she told me to take 3 tablets 3x a day, and this really helped boost my supply. Of course you will definitely need to keep up pumping and any time you can spend close to your little one(even skin to skin)...do it! I am not sure what this actually does, but it does work. I even slept with my little one for a few nights, etc...to make my supply go back up. Don't stress yourself out about it, that will only make matters worse...just drink TONS of water, and make sure you are eating enough calories, and all of this together should help you to have your personal supply up in no time. I have been where you are...down to pumping for the next day(a couple of times) with no reserves. I have had to supplement a few times with formula, but that is all I have had to do with the advise from my lactation consultant.Her name is Wendy Blumberg if you want to give her a call with your situation...she is wonderful, and does not charge anything to talk to you over the phone ###-###-####. She has saved me many times. My baby and I got off to such a rocky start at nursing, then she decided to go on a breastfeeding strike @ 8 months because I yelled when she bit me, etc....you name it...this lady has gotten us to 13months(with me working) and still breastfeeding...So I know you can do it!!!
As long as you're comfortable that your friend doesn't have something like HIV/AIDS, there is absolutely *no* reason her milk wouldn't be anything but beneficial to your daughter. Donor milk is actually a lot more common than people think. I am aware of a lot of moms that even cross nurse (nurse someone else's child) while babysitting or in emergencies (with mom's consent, of course). I myself wouldn't hesitate to offer some of my stash to a mom in need, and I know I'm not the only one.
I would definately go for it. It would be wonderful for your daughter, and great that you have this opportunity! She is definately a great friend =)
Also, if you're looking to boost your own supply, these cookies are *WONDERFUL*. There is definately a noticeable increase in production!
(copied from here: http://community.livejournal.com/breastfeeding/2288837.html)
"Housepoet's Famous Lactation Boosting Oatmeal, Chocolate Chip & Flaxseed cookies ™
Ingredients :
* 1 cup butter or marg
* 1 cup sugar
* 1 cup brown sugar
* 4 tablespoons water
* 2 tablespoons flaxseed meal*
* 2 large eggs
* 1 teaspoon vanilla
* 2 cups flour
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 3 cups oats, thick cut if you can get them
* 1 cup or more chocolate chips
* 2 tablespoons of brewers yeast* (be generous)
Directions:
Preheat oven at 375 degrees F. Mix together 2 tablespoons of flaxseed meal and water, set aside for 3-5 minutes. Cream (beat well) margarine and sugar. Add eggs one at a time, mix well. Stir flaxseed mixture and add with vanilla to the margarine mix. Beat until blended. Sift together dry ingredients, except oats and chips. Add to margarine mixture. Stir in oats then chips. Scoop or drop onto baking sheet, preferably lined with parchment or silpat. The dough is a little crumbly, so it helps to use a scoop.
Bake 8-12 minutes, depending on size of cookies.
Serves: 6 dozen cookies
Preparation time: 15 minutes
*can be found at any local health food store. (at whole foods in the supplements section)
*NOTE* IT MUST BE BREWERS YEAST, NO SUBSTITUTIONS.
If you don't like chocolate, who doesn't like chocolate tho, you can substitute for carob chips, raisins, butterscotch chips, whatever.
"
I have heard of it. It can be safe if you the know the mother. I would be interested in getting some. I am going back to work as well and cant really pump becaue when he eats he is really greedy and i cant pump much after a feeding. I to am trying to breastfeed until he is a year old. Anyways if you know her and trust her then I would do it. Breastmilk is the best thing you can give a baby.
I don't see anything wrong with it... I would go for it!
In my opinion it's perfectly safe. We adopted my son and I wanted him to have the benefits of breastmilk. I actually had two donors who are close friends and it worked out great. He was on mainly breastmilk for his first month. I was so happy to have had it and I think he benefitted from it. I would've continued giving him as much as I could if I had had more.
I think the benefits of breastmilk almost always outweigh the negative possiblities. If you can continue to pump, of course, that would be best for her in my opinion. I had a friend that pumped for 9 months after her baby was born and never breastfed him (couldn't).
