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Infant feeding

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Original poster

Has anyone donated milk to a Milk Bank?

29 replies

Gumbo · 23/04/2008 11:43

I've got a friend in SA who runs a home for abadoned/orphaned babies (some of them 'Aids orphans'). They've recently started receiving donations of breastmilk which they've been giving to some of the babies, and have seen a significant improvement in their health, and increase in their weight!

I'm interested to know whether anyone has donated milk to something like this? I believe milk banks exist in the USA and UK (and I understand that some of them send the milk to 'needy babies' abroad - like my friend's babies), but I've never met anyone who donates to them.

OP posts:
Martha200 · 23/04/2008 11:57

If you do a search you will find a site that lists all the hospitals that have a milk bank and info relating to donating etc. I was under the impression it stays in this country and the milk is used for premature babies. I think it said something like an oz of milk can feed a premature baby for a day and a half and I was blown away!

I really wanted to be a donor, my way of giving back something as the support I have had has been sooooo different to first time around with ds1, but sadly my local hospital don't have a bank and the next closest was going to get back to me about a collague who used to collect from my area and take it there.. but as it has gone all quiet I am assuming she didn't want to do this again

whoops · 23/04/2008 11:59

When ds was in SCBU he recieved donated milk and one of the mums was producing so much that she donated it.
I think the collect (or used to) for the Milk bank at the hospital

Original poster
Gumbo · 23/04/2008 12:00

Thanks Martha!

The milk sent to my friend came from the USA - but perhaps it's only them that export the milk, not the UK?

It's quite sad that more hospitals don't have such a service - especially when there are people like you willing to donate!

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Original poster
Gumbo · 23/04/2008 12:03

Martha, you're right. I've searched for where they are, and there are actually relatively few of them. For instance, my nearest one is over an hour away (not that I'm bf right now, so irrelevant, but stilll...)

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eemie · 23/04/2008 12:10

I gave to the Kingston SCBU. Had to have blood tests beforehand, then expressed into their containers and stored it in the freezer till someone collected it.

Later they invited me and dd to a party for all the little 'graduates' of the SCBU, to say thank you.

Martha200 · 23/04/2008 12:29

That's really nice eemie they did that.
I know the one I was hoping to donate to say you can book a visit and visit those you are donating to, but always had mixed thoughts about that.

I do think it is a shame that more hospitals don't have this set up (I think it might be down to expense)and I'm sure that I read somewhere 100-200 mothers donate, (which to me doesn't sound many) imagine how many more might if they could to their local hospital?

Original poster
Gumbo · 23/04/2008 12:35

I love that story eemie! It must make what you've done seem that much more 'real' in terms of how you've helped the babies of people like whoops!

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Janni · 23/04/2008 12:39

I used to donate to a milk bank in London - one of the BF organisations (eg La Leche League) would be able to tell you more.

I remember handing over freezer bags of my milk to a at a tube station!!

kiskideesameanoldmother · 23/04/2008 12:50

milk banking

jes74 · 23/04/2008 14:06

I express for Birmingham milk bank and they come and collect the milk as i live in derby, most banks are prepared to collect from some distance as there are so few banks and donors. I have to stop in 5wks as ds will be 6 months and that is the cut off point. If you are considering donating contact your nearest milk bank they always need donors and will bend over backwards to support you if you can donate.

Mikafan · 23/04/2008 14:09

I tried to donate to the milk bank at Queen Charlottes. I did all the questionnaires and was supposed to be called up to have an interview and then bloods done but no one ever contacted me again so haven't ended up doing it. I thought for a hospital like QC's it was a very poor way to treat someone who was willing to do something to help the hospital

3madboys · 23/04/2008 14:13

how do you find where you local milk bank is? i have LOADS Of milk, too much infact, and can express easily, i would love to donate milk, i am in norwich and my hospital doesnt have a milk bank, does anyone know where my nearest milk bank is or how i can find out?

Original poster
Gumbo · 23/04/2008 14:21

3madboys, check the link that kiskideesameanoldmother put above - the web site lists all the places that do it.

I'm amazed to hear that people like Mikafan have tried to donate, but nobody's come back to them - I'd have thought the milk banks would be falling over themselves to get donors!

Jes74, I hadn't realised that some places will collect - that defintiely makes it more do-able for a lot of people.

OP posts:
3madboys · 23/04/2008 14:28

wow fab, i just phoned my nearest milk bank, cambridge and they have taken my details and will call back later today

Original poster
Gumbo · 23/04/2008 14:39

That's great 3madboys!

I'm finding this all really interesting!

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lizzytee · 23/04/2008 14:57

My daughter was lucky enough to be born at a hospital that has a milk bank and the fact that she got donor milk until my milk came in (which took 5 days) made a big difference to my confidence in being able to feed her.

If any of you have a baby aged less than 6 months, please do consider it, it makes a huge difference to the premature and small babies it goes to....and to their mothers.

As others have said, not everyone is within reach of a bank but until you get in touch you won't know.

Coolmama · 23/04/2008 21:26

I donated milk when DS was little as I had enough of the stuff to keep a small army going! - it was very easy to arrange and they collected the frozen milk from me and loaded me up with sterile bottles - if you can, it is well worth it.
Mikafan - a pity you didn't keep calling - IIRC there is only one woman at the milk bank at QC and so would imagine that she is quite busy! - maybe next time.

StarlightMcKenzie · 23/04/2008 21:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

GreenMonkies · 24/04/2008 16:07

I did, I loved doing it, and every drop counts!!

Monkies

chickenmama · 24/04/2008 18:24

Wow, my mum did this when we were babies, I didn't know it was still possible... something I would seriously consider if I ever have another

hertsnessex · 24/04/2008 18:35

why wouldnt your dh let you?

ds1 and 2 were prem and in scbu and ds1 had donated milk, i wish i could have done it, it is an amazing thing to do.

xx

maygirl · 25/04/2008 15:38

I did, for the Oxford one and didn't start till baby 12mths. I asked if it was still ok at 15mths and they said still wanted it. I've stopped now but feel a bit guilty.
I heard in Brazil they have enough milk banks for every premmie baby born there to get ebm, and what is left gets given to HIV mums for their babies. They see it as so important that the local firemen collect it from mums homes!! Has had huge effect on prem baby survival rates there.

GreenMonkies · 25/04/2008 15:51

I had to stop donating when DD2 was 12 months, they said they didn't take it after a year, something to do with iron levels or something.

Brazil is red hoton bf and milk banking, everyone knows about it and the Nestle boycott, a colleague of mine is brazillian, and male and gay, but he was telling me all about it, why aren't we all so educated here?? sigh

Monkies

GreenMonkies · 25/04/2008 15:52

(I really should preview my posts!!)

glasshouse · 25/04/2008 16:11

I had real problems breastfeeding and ended up expressing to feed my son. I was expressing so much I couldn't use and donated to the Medway Hospital for six months. I hated the thought of it going to waste. If it could help someone - why not. My hospital was minutes from my door though, didn't realise that all hospitals didn't do this - what a shame they don't.

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