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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

Donating breastmilk

10 replies

AnythingNotEverything · 22/01/2014 22:39

I have a 13 week old EBF DD and I've been looking into expressing breastmilk and donating it to a local hospital for prem babies.

I've haven't had all the info yet, but they have said they ask for a commitment of 3 litres.

Luckily, I find pumping quite easy - I tend to get 120 mls in about 25 minutes, so I could meet their requirements within a month of pumping every day.

I'm interested in your experiences of donating milk, particularly how you found pumping outside of your baby's feeding routine. Did this have any effect on your supply?

I'm not sure whether to pump every day or every other day ... I'm obviously keen that I maintain my supply for my DD!

Thanks in advance for any info!

OP posts:
Original poster
AnythingNotEverything · 23/01/2014 10:21

Shameless bump.

OP posts:
ElleCloughie · 23/01/2014 20:24

I don't have anything useful to say, other than what a lovely plan. It's something I would like to do, but DD is a bad feeder, and is hardly off the boob to give me time to express milk for her or anyone else! I really hope it works out for you.

KikiShack · 23/01/2014 20:57

I've just looked into doing this too. My local hospital, King's, just want one litre upfront, then they give me a blood test and then I pump some more after. 3 litres is quite a big commitment, in terms of freezer space if nothing else.
I'm worried about the pumping increasing my supply,I have oversupply already, but it won't go down so I figure I might as well use it instead of it all going into the sofa muslins.
I'm going to only pump an extra 3oz a day so as not to tell my body to produce tons more. I'll also have regular days off.
I don't know how much it depends on the person, but my feeling is pumping 120ml a day might be a bit much and lead to you having oversupply. Whilst probably not as bad as undersupply, it is still a pain so worth avoiding. DD often gets really upset and screams if she is hungry but can't feed because the flow is too fast/heavy, then she pulls off and there are jets squirting in all directions. Not good, especially in public...

Original poster
AnythingNotEverything · 23/01/2014 21:44

I hadn't thought about having to store 3 litres of milk! I haven't got the info about collection so hope that's not an issue. We'll just have to have fewer flavours of ice cream in the freezer for a while Grin

I suspect I'd just have to give it a go and see. I haven't had any supply issues so far, so am hoping that indicates my supply is robust. I suppose you just don't know until you try.

Good luck Kiki!

OP posts:
Superworm · 23/01/2014 21:46

I donated to kings milk bank for about eight months. Just did little and often whenever I could and it soon built up. Once solids started life become more hectic so I naturally donated less. They always came to collect it so it was not hassle at all.

Kings have a lovely coffee morning too where you can meet other donators and look around the unit. Some weeks they managed to not use any formula at all it's lovely to be part of it.

FrumiousBandersnatch · 23/01/2014 21:49

Kikishack and superworm - how long did it take the Kings milk bank to get back to you? I left an answer phone message last week but haven't heard anything yet. Am sure they are incredibly busy so wondered if perhaps they have one day a month or similar where they contact women who have expressed an interest?

gbr196 · 23/01/2014 22:14

I donated to Medway in Kent (Oliver Fisher unit) with DD - there was no minimum/commitment and they came to my house to collect it from me (I just rang up and asked when I had a bit built up). Their approach was that every little counts and even one small bottle goes a long way... Then we had DS and he was in an incubator for a week and he had donor milk a few times when I hadn't managed to express quite enough - so what goes around comes around!!! Its a great feeling (as is getting your baby back out of an incubator and home!) so good luck with it!!

greenthumbs · 23/01/2014 22:16

I donated to Queen Charlotte's milk bank for about a year. I think they gave me the blood test before I gave them any milk, I can't really remember as it was a while ago. I just used to drop over what I had each month and I don't remember them requiring any minimum amount. Everything was organised very quickly, the blood was taken a few days after I filled in the forms.

Once I started, I expressed in the morning after I'd fed my DS as it was quickest to fill the bottle then. I found expressing useful as there was always masses of milk for him when he was going through a growth spurt, so never had any concerns about my supply. There was also milk in the freezer just in case we needed it which also came in handy.

Superworm · 23/01/2014 22:45

From memory there is someone there on a Tuesday.

They can be a bit rubbish at getting back to you but it just keep trying, they are super busy with the special care unit but desperate for donors.

KikiShack · 23/01/2014 22:56

I emailed them a few (3?) days ago and got a reply the next day telling me to visit the website and phone back when I want to take it further, they'll then go through a health questionnaire on the phone, wait for a litre then do a blood test.
I phoned back today, no answer so I left a message. No call back yet...I'll look out for a call on Tuesday!

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