Donating Breastmilk: How does it work?

You probably saw the request for breast milk on the main urbanMamas page.  When I stopped breastfeeding my son several years ago, I sadly trashed bags and bags of frozen breast milk.  I was fortunate to be a milky mama with pump success, so the freezer was always full (laregly due to my workplace having a locking room where I was able to pump during work hours).  Before getting rid of it, though, I researched other options because I had heard of a milk bank somewhere in CA (natch) - how great is that idea?  The requirements were strict, though, and I couldn't be sure my milk would meet the standards (e.g., I drank alcohol while breastfeeding, may have taken medicine, who knows?), so to the trashcan it all went. 

Now that I see another mama needing milk for her fragile baby, I wonder if there's a better way - are there more milk banks now than there were in 2005 when I did my research?  The Human Milk Banking Association of North America shows that there are 11 official milk banks in the states, but none in Portland - sort of surprising.  Good opportunity for a mamapreneur!

Have you donated breastmilk?  Locally?  Mailed it (yikes)?  Dumped it?  What resources are there for milky mamas with a freezer full to spare?  And for mamas who need breastmilk - how best to get ahold of the precious liquid? 

Comments

[Lora]

My baby is in need of breast milk. Is there a health-conscious mom in the Portland area who has some to share? (503)784-7692. Thank you!

[Holly]

I may be able to help you. How much do you need?

[Liss]

I have some frozen mill I can no longer use due to my sons soy intollerance. It all dairy free, and really limited soy. I eat mainly organic foods. I don't want to throw the milk out! Let me know if you are interested.

[milkymama]

Adventist Medical Center in SE Portland has a Family Birthplace unit that has just opened the first offical milk bank in Portland. Here is a press release about it - http://www.adventisthealthnw.com/news/view.asp?file=Breastfeeding_Depot_080408.html

[Ameda Ultra]

Thank you for the post, I am impressed!

[weaning momma]

I have several ounces of frozen breast milk and I am weaning my son. I don't want to dump it but I just moved to Eugene and would love to be able to donate it to someone or a hospital. I am drug free, took my prenatals always and try to eat healthy. Does anyone know of somewhere in Eugene I could take my milk so I don't have to trash it?

[breast fibrocystic disease]

Breast milk donors are screened very carefully. In addition, each batch of milk is screened and pasteurized and retested for the presence of bacteria. There have been no documented cases of disease transmission from donor milk provided by a milk bank operating under standard practice.

[Kelsey]

If any mamas have extra milk we are happy to take it! Our son has some allergies/intolerances and is only doing well on breast milk which I am unable to provide due to having immature milk glands. You can email me at mavericksmama1986@yahoo.com