Alright, it's a really awkward question, but I have to ask: does anyone know how I can donate my frozen breastmilk? The litltle bit of research that I did online suggested that I find a local family who needs it, but how the heck do you find these people?!? Moms might think I'm crazy if I hang out at the local park and ask families if they need some breastmilk!
I have been on an elimination diet as we try to figure out what my daughter is allergic to. So everytime I would get a dozen or so bags saved up in the freezer, I would have to cut something else from my diet and all that milk couldn't be given to my daughter. If I had to guess I would say I probably have close to 50 bags (6 oz each) in the freezer. I even have them separated: dairy free, dairy & peanut free, dairy, peanut & soy free...
So are there any moms out there who have successfully donated milk? I just can't bear to throw it out and it's really taking up a lot of valuable freezer space. I would be willing to meet up with another mom in Suffolk County if she needs it for her baby. I'm also open to donating it to an organization that knows how to get it to babies that need it. Any advice? Thanks!
I donated to Mother's Milk Bank of Ohio. They sent me all the packing materials & I just sent everything out to them. It was really easy. Good luck!
No advice, sorry. I really just want to congratulate you for doing this. And good luck on getting to the bottom of the allergy thing.
I donated mine to Mother's Milk Bank of North Texas. They required a quick blood test (at their expense) and provided all boxes, coolers, shipping, etc. I just had to buy the dry ice (they offered to reimburse, but it wasn't worth the hassle for my $5), pack it all up, and drop off at FedEx. They will take all "healthy mom" donations at any time of the year! (Look them up online & call if you have more questions.)
Good luck, what a precious gift to be able to offer!
Call a Midwifery Birthing Center and the local doulas and IBCLC/LCs
I'm a BIG fan of donation milk centers... but they CHARGE to use the milk you've donated and if a family does not have health insurance, the price of breastmilk that was donated is usually too high for a regular family. I'd look into LOCAL disbursement first.
S., I just sent you a private message with all of the info. I hope that works out! - L.
How about checking with you local hospital? When my daughter delivered my grand daughters both hospitals had a lacation nurse on staff.
How about a pediatrician’s office?
One of our hospitals out here has a breastmilk donation program for the NICU babies who need it. Try asking around your local hospitals and see what advice they have to offer.
Contact your local La Leche League Leader. She can tell you if there are any local milk banks.
You might call up the local lactation center for advice. My friend did that and was pointed to a milk bank where she could donate her extra milk.
Ask your pediatrician. Or maybe somebody in a local church. Can you listvit on Craigslist???
Check with the lactation consultant your local hospital. I just checked the HMBANA website and it looks like there is a New England organization in Massachusetts: http://www.hmbana.org/milk-bank-locations. In Texas, the Mothers Milk Bank in Austin has many drop-off points throughout the state. You have to go through a quick "testing" process (at their expense), but once you are approved, you can drop your donations off and they will provide your milk donation to the most critically ill children, usually by prescription from the baby's doctor. In most cases, these children cannot receive milk from their mothers for a myriad of reasons. When i had my first child, i donated over 800 ounces. I can't tell you how good that makes you feel when you are able to help the most fragile and tiniest of infants, many of which are clinging to life. You will be SO glad you did this. Be leary of the "for profit" organizations that claim to send your milk overseas to developing countries. HTH!
There should be an organisation in your area that organises breast milk donation. Call the local La Leche League. You will have to undergo some medical tests to ensure the milk is healthy. I donated milk with my first child and, once you get through the hurdles, it is very gratifying.
Why not call the La Leche League www.llli.org and ask them?
Or maybe your pediatrician's office?
Hi! I have a friend in central NJ who would be interested (she is nursing twins!). Please send me a private message if you would like to give them to her.
I am currently breasfeeding my second child and I also donate my additional milk to a woman who adopted a child. Our children are only days apart and it is a wonderful feeling to see what your extra milk can do. This is the second time that I am actually donating. With my son, I had so much extra milk that I found two people to donate to. The best place that have found is on Milkshare.com. You can post what you have to your state and find someone local or someone who is willing to pay for you to ship it out. In return, most moms will repay you for shipping if necessary as well as give you new bags to use in the future. There is also a group on Facebook that is always posting for moms in need as well as moms who want to donate. The page name is Human Milk 4 Human Babies. There are chapters all over the US, you just look for your state. It works pretty much the same way as Milkshare.com.
Good luck!
http://www.nationalmilkbank.org/
http://milkinmamas.com/?gclid=CKbu0cGniawCFQLj7QodYz4n-A
http://www.breastmilkproject.org/
Are just a few of the places that are all over the nation you can contact for donating milk. Good luck
This may sound even odder...check with local farms. They always have need for milk for the baby animals.
Nanc
Contact your local la leche league or lactation consultant. My lactation consultant worked through the hospital, so you can call your local hospital to get their contact info. That's nice you are doing this. I used someone's donated breastmilk with my son bc I had almost no breastmilk. I was very thankful, but sadly my local donor ran out after a few months.
