I'd love to donate breastmilk but.....

[podmumlet]

..... I am on 20mg fluoxetine and have been from before pregnancy.
Would any Milk Bank or any other hospital units want my milk? Would hate to just dump it...

While fluoxetine hasn't officially been tested on pregnant and breastfeeding mums, its been around long enough and largely regarded as being safe to take (although sertraline is regarded as passing into breastmilk less than fluoxetine).

I agonised as to whether to continue the meds during my pregnancy, and then I agonised whether to breastfeed my baby because of the meds. But I am pleased to say that my wonderful 9 month baby boy is super healthy and has the most wonderful temperament :)

I have been expressing and freezing on and off since he was around 3 months old, using sterile milk bags and the all the milk is dated. Would be happy to have the blood tests to screen the me. I thought I was going to stop feeding at about 9 months and wanted to build a stash of milk, and well, we are still happily in a breastfeeding relationship (and I need the freezer space :D )

I know it's a stretch, but wondering if there is any use for my milk - maybe even research?? Really don't want to waste it...

I am not sure, but I think a Milk Bank would be able to answer your questions - they probably have a list of medications that they deem safe, and can maybe point in the direction of somewhere else if they can't use it. Good luck!

i donate.

I am ONLY allowed paracetamol, progesterone contraceptive pill and asthma inhalers

also 2 units alcohol per week and 2 caffinate drinks per day

no herbal remedies

and even if i take drugs that are ok while breast feeding (for my baby) they can not accept the milk.

You may find on the Human Milk 4 Human Babies UK FaceBook group that there is either a mum who is happy to take your milk or even one who is already on fluoxetine herself.

podmumlet I'm really sorry but it wouldn't be possible to accept your milk for donation to milk banks :(

Despite a drug being perfectly fine for your own healthy baby, the prems are already on drugs regimes which can interact with anything else that passes through, and with them being so tiny even trace amounts can affect them.

Regarding research, the person to ask is Gillian Weaver at UKAMB (UK Association for Milk Banking) at the Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea milk bank. She's away at the moment but will be back next week:

Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital

The Milk Bank, Du Cane Rd, London W12 0HS
Contact Name: Gillian Weaver, Milk Bank Manager
Phone: 020 8383 3559
Email: [email protected]

If you are unable to donate your milk then as has already been suggested to you the HM4HB group may well accept it. Either way as you're so keen to support milk banking (which is fab :) ) maybe you'd consider donating to UKAMB to help support milk banking that way? www.justgiving.com/makesachange-ukamb is the best way to donate as every donation is doubled by Makes a Change (eco baby company).

Thanks ladies..... I suspected as much that this would be the answer.

I will certainly explore HM4HB (have joined the FB group) - perhaps there is a mum who wants to continue the benefits of breastfeeding a healthy baby, but has stopped breastfeeding her baby for whatever reason? I know how much I agonised about taking the fluoxetine, so can only imagine how wary any other mother would be - but who knows.... Worth trying I think.

I will also get in touch Gillian next week and thanks for the link to the Just Giving page.