Does anyone have experience of milk banking ie donating?

[arthymum]

My ds is 16 weeks and I feel that we've finally got the hang of bf - and following a recent tongue tie release I am actually contemplating a future free of Lansinoh!

I met a friend today who has been donating milk to her hospital's neonatal milk bank and I found out that this is something my local hospital does too. But I don't know much about it really. I was expressing to try and get ds to take a bottle (his response: get stuffed, mother ) and was getting about 3fl oz a go. Would this be enough? And what else would I have to think about? How does it work basically?!

When I donated they needed at least a litre (in total) to make it worth pasteurising it. You can only donate until your baby is 6 months old. Best thing to do is to contact your local milk bank and ask about their rules and regs. I used to express and put it in the freezer and then go and deliver it every few weeks - you had your own bag in their freezers and once you'd donated enough they defrosted it, pasteurised it etc.

Is there an age limit? That's a shame, I was considering donating as well now he sleeps.

I think the first donation has to be when your baby is

I wonder why? DS is seven months so I guess I missed the boat.

Because breastmilk changes nutritionally as they get older.

I can see that, but then why would it be ok if you started before six months - the seven month milk would still be seven month milk whether iyswim?

I think it might be something to do with the fact that they mainly give it to premature babies - so want the 6 month to other babies but there's not so much demand - so perhaps it's not worth their while to process a new donor who is already past the 6 month mark? That's just a guess though...

It seems to vary from hospital to hospital as to whether they'll take >6 months at all. But if there are shortages it might be worth asking just in case?

Hm, interesting. My DS is now 6 months, and won't take a bottle any more. So I have loads of ebm filling my freezer and unless he starts accepting a bottle again (or a cup), I could donate. DS is over 6 months, but the ebm isn't - would that work?

have you seen this website? www.ukamb.org - there's a lot of info here

When I donated I was asked to express every day and give a commitment of doing this for at least a certain length of time (I think 3 months?). I also asked about the amount I would be expected to express daily, and 3oz would be enough.

There's a whole series of questions they ask you, and you need to have blood tests before you start donating and after you finish.

Good luck!

Essie3 - my friend gave a backdated supply - the hospital were so desperate that they sent round a courier that day and asked if she could go straight in for tests! I think they accepted it less than three months old (ie been in the freezer

My local hospital were so helpful and appreciative, they said to buy in donated milk from another PCT/hospital was more than £100 per litre! I was expressing from day 1 because once I stop engorging I find it difficult to express anything!