(reposting) if donating blood is such a wonderful thing...?

I do think that some people question the sanitary conditions in which the milk is pumped. When blood is donated, you don't collect the donation in your own home and then deliver it to the blood bank. That's often how milk is donated.

That said, I am fully supportive of milk donation. I think that a signed bill of clean health from the mother's physician (or a full work up by a milk bank physician, even) is usually sufficient for clean breastmilk donation. Based on what I've read, breastmilk is generally pasteurized before it's given to recipients, so any pathogens that could have come in contact with the milk during collect or transport would be eliminated. Many argue that this pasteurization process would likely eliminate most of the benefits of human milk (live antibodies and enzymes, mainly), but most believe that pasteurized human milk is still more beneficial than formula or other alternatives.

I think that we sometimes forget how long wet nursing, cross nursing, and private milk donation have been a huge part of society as a whole.

ETA: I'll add that I'm also very supportive of private milk donation (which sounds like what you're doing?). I think it's a great way to help out a family that may have adopted a baby or for any other reason, can't provide their child with their own breastmilk. Personally, I think that the antibodies in breastmilk do a good job of eliminating a lot of the pathogens that may come in contact with it. I read a study once where pumped human milk was screened for bacteria, and it was found that freshly pumped milk actually had *more* bacteria in it than milk that had been pumped and then chilled for a few hours (or even days, I can't remember which). It was concluded that the antibodies in the milk had actually killed a lot of the pathogens that had come in contact with the milk.

So, in short, I'm one that believes that if the mother has a clean bill of health from her physician and the infant doesn't have a compromised immune system, then it's probably not necessary to pasteurize the milk (and it's really probably more beneficial that it not be so that the infant can get the benefits of all the live antibodies).

I don't know. If you're donating it to a hospital then to me you and your baby are heroes.

On my wall is a picture of me when I was about 3 months old. It's a very VERY nice picture, and my mom said it was taken because I was a 'top donor' of my breastmilk and was a hospital hero. :) I grew up with the idea. I was a premature baby (though full-sized) and had breathing difficulties that kept me in the hospital. My mom was an experienced nurser (I was #8, and she had successfully breastfed with no problem over a year for each all of her children, including twins, except her first which she stopped at 3 months due to problems.) So she pumped and donated the milk.

The hospital was so used to her being clean, eating healthy, no alcohol or drugs or smoke, that after a while they would come to pick up her donation and take it directly to the hospital, giving it to the preemies. She said she lamented once that it was only a few oz and the guy told her those preemies often only eat 1/2 an oz, and every drop counts. She saved lives.

My mom had no problem with it because when she was a child her mother was a wet-nurse. Note, she didn't have a pregnancy or anything... she just was able to produce, and it saved that baby's life.

When you grow up with it, I guess you don't see it as strange but as commendable. I wanted to donate milk so badly, but I have hypoplastic breasts and couldn't produce enough even for my own babies. :( To me, every mother who makes me feel guilty, unless they are donating milk, should shut up. The lack of donators make it so that the costs are very high, and that the 'normal folk' cannot buy the breastmilk, it is so precious it must be given to the critical babies first and foremost.

So yay for women like you who donate! You're saving lives.

Add: I should clarify. My mom didn't pump. She hand-expressed. Which helped me since I could squeeze out a few drops to keep nursing my daughter even when she stopped latching for a month until she latched on again. :)

I think it's great. I don't understand the inconsistency either. What I'll never understand is how it's completely acceptable to donate eggs and sperm but you're crazy to give milk.

I was asked if I'd be willing to donate and I said yes but the person that asked actually did so on behalf of someone else and I never heard from them after the initial conversation.

I've asked my husband what he'd do if I weren't around anymore and he has said on multiple occasions that he'd find a way to secure breast milk to continue feeding my son until he's 2 (totally ironic since we've argued quite a bit about how long I should breastfeed...).

I donate blood frequently. The problem with donating breast milk is, like blood, it can transfer STDs (mainly HIV and AIDS). I don't think hospital and other companies care enough about breast milk to run all the tests when they make and sell formula. They probably will make a better profit off formula than off breast milk There's no substitute for blood like there (kind of is) for breast milk

Don't get me wrong, I think it's very noble to donate breast milk to people who cannot lactate or have adopted children. However, call me selfish, but I save every little bit for my child. I've had trouble lactating and I wouldn't dream of giving it away when I need it for my child.

Only a small portion of people think that breastfeeding is strange. And most of those people also think that donating breast milk to underprivileged moms and infants is weird. But who cares what they think?

I think it's great and I have donated myself. My SIL was in a car accident when my niece was about 4 months old. She had a lot of internal lacerations as well as a few broken bones. She was on some heavy duty pain meds along with blood thinners and a couple other meds that made nursing impossible. She asked me if I could spare some expressed milk for my niece (I had a months supply in my freezer for my 5 month old). I gave her all of it and continued to pump for 3 months so she could feed my niece. I would do it again in a heartbeat and I know that she would do the same for my child if I were the one in that situation. Good job on all that pumping!

Honestly, it may just be ignorance. This is the first time I have ever hears of donating breast milk. (other than the historical wet nurse)

I think it may be something that just isn't known about unless you know someone who either donates or has needed donated breast milk for their child.

Perhaps more education is needed.

Now that I have read your question, and read all the other answers, I am really impressed and glad to know that there are people who are willing to donate.

I actually saw you other post earlier in the Resolved Questions area.

I donated my breastmilk as well with my last daughter. She was hospitalized at 9 weeks and had to be tube fed. I had a huge milk supply and didn't want it to decrease so they brought me up a hospital grade pump and I would pump. They would tube feed her first and anything left over would go to the NICU. They asked my permission of course. But I thought it was a really cool thing to be able to help someone elses baby while mine was recuperating.

Wow, you are awesome!

I think that is SO great that you do this!

People are ignorant. You are doing something that many babies rely on. Breastmilk is far superior to formula, and if more breastmilk were available, babies could get those benefits.

I already told my husband that if anything happens to me while the twins are still nursing, he will be contacting a milk bank so we don't have to give formula.

You know what? Well I won't put this very nicely, but screw those people. It is none of their business and they are just rude. I applaud you and think this is fantastic! Keep it up, do not stop just to appease jerks.

i think it is a good thing if thats what people want to do. i breastfed my son for a month and then i got very sick and couldnt anymore but i dont see anything AT ALL wrong with people who use formula. i did and have no complaints other than the cost. the way you say some people say rude and ignorant things about donating they also do about formula feeding. there is nothing wrong with either one. its just a personal choice. i would rather formula feed because i honestly dont trust breastmilk from anyone else but then again i dont trust donated blood 100% either but when you NEED blood you dont have much choice. babies dont NEED breastmilk, only prefer it. thumbs up for donating or formula... as long as you are a good mother what does it matter which one you give your baby?

I think it is awesome that you are donating! Breast milk is the best thing for babies!