Milk bank's legitimacy?

Recently, I responded to a BPN request from a milk bank in Sacramento that is seeking breast milk to provide nutrition for premature babies. Upon further research about this place, we discovered that it is a for-profit company that manufactures a product (Prolacta) by using human breast milk. I've never donated milk before, but have been interested in doing so and I want to make sure that I am donating to the right cause. Does anyone know anything about this ''Prolacta Bioscience''? Should I trust that this will in fact directly help premature infants who wouldn't otherwise receive this kind of gift or should I be skeptical of a for-profit company seeking volunteer milk? I guess it rubs me the wrong way to donate something my body produces to something that isn't a non-profit company, but maybe I am over-thinking this. If I shouldn't donate to them, who should I turn to? (It should be noted that I still produce milk because I still nurse my 3+ year old daughter. I passed initial screening with the aforementioned company that deemed my milk still okay even though my child is no longer an infant.) hoping to spread the wealth

You'll need to undergo their screening process: health questionnaire, blood draw and get the OK from your OB and your child's pediatrician, but it's a fairly quick and easy process. They will send a nurse to your home or office to do the blood draw. My Bra Cups Runneth Over

I can't help you with your specific question but the article may help you to understand what your options are and what you may or may not want to do with your extra milk. Melissa

Where to donate breastmilk?

I've got about 40 ounces of frozen breastmilk left from a toddler I just stopped nursing. Mothers Milk Bank won't take less than 100 oz. Does anyone have a suggestion re: where else I might donate this liquid gold? Thanks!

I suppose you might also have the option of offering to do HIV and other testing and giving it to someone you know with a baby who needs more mama milk. - The Sperm Bank of California former employee

Where can I donate my excess breastmilk?

My 9.5 month old daughter never took a supplemental bottle, and now I have a freezer packed with breastmilk I expressed for her for emergencies which I now know she will never use. I have heard rumors from several sources that you can donate breastmilk (I THINK in order to feed preemies too young for formula?), but don't really have any idea who to donate to. I have tried to contact La Leche League about this, but haven't had any luck getting a return call from them so far. Does anybody know anything about this, and/or who I can contact for more information? I'd rather all 100+ ounces of this very healthy milk go to somebody who could use it rather than down the drain, if possible. Thanks for your help!

Mothers' Milk Bank
c/o Professional Group
PO Box 5730
San Jose, CA 85150
(408) 998-4550

If the milk bank will not take it, instead of dumping it down the drain you could:
- offer it to your child in a sippy cup
- use it to mix baby food and cereals
- and if it doesn't "gross you out" use it in cooking/baking as a substitue for cow's milk.
(I know a woman who used her left over stash to make pudding for her whole family.) Good luck.

You can donate through the Mothers' Milk Bank in San Jose. They require some medical information which will most likely require you to get a blood test. You can either get the test done by your regular dr., or they will do it for you, but only after you have donated 100 ounces of milk. They have pickup/dropoff locations throughout the Bay Area, or they will come to your house to pick up the milk, and they provide you with sterile bottles to fill if you want. Their number is: 408/998-4550.