Donating breast milk

[mummysmellsofsick]

Does anyone know if there's anywhere I can donate milk that was expressed after my baby was 6 months?

I'm building up quite a freezer stash as I express at work 2 days a week and my 10 mo won't drink much from a bottle while I'm out.

I'd much rather not throw it all away but I've tried cooking his porridge with it and using different bottles, he just isn't interested. My 2 local hospitals said no thanks as milk changes after baby is 6 months and isn't any good for newborns/ preemies.

Any ideas? Do any hospitals need bm for sick older babies? I've asked Guys & St T.

[ElphabaTheGreen]

I've looked into this myself. You have to go through all kinds of tests (for HIV among other things) before they'll take your milk and it has to be pretty fresh - they won't just take stuff you've been keeping in your freezer for a while. It's a pity, isn't it?

[mummysmellsofsick]

Mine's quite fresh but apparently I expressed it when DS was too old

[Seriouslysleepdeprived]

I donate for Kings College & my baby is over 6 months. They have quite a lot of surgical babies there, so might be worth a go. The number is 020 3299 3038

[mummysmellsofsick]

Really sleep? I emailed them but no reply I'll phone on Monday thanks for the no. Did you start donating when your baby was over 6 months?

[DairyNips]

Google human milk for human babies. It's a global milk sharing network You can put an offer on the discussion board for your area and someone might take it.

[mummysmellsofsick]

Oh great I didn't know about that. Will have a look when my human baby decides to go to sleep

[Seriouslysleepdeprived]

I be been registered for a while. I asked about the 6 month thing and was told you can donate until 2 years but they like you to start before six months.

They collected from me this week & left more bottles. They do a lot of liver, gastro & chest surgery on bigger babies so must need the milk for them.

Give them a call, they are desperate for new donors. I was going to do a MN appeal But not got round to it

[mummysmellsofsick]

I'll definitely call them. I'm happy to have the blood tests etc, just keen for the milk to go to some good use