Berkeley Parents Network: Donating Breastmilk

Berkeley Parents Network

Donating Breastmilk

The Parents Network > Advice > Advice about Breastfeeding > Donating Breastmilk

4/00

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!

Nori San Jose has a milk bank to which you might be able to give your leftovers. What a wonderful gift!

Alicia
Earlier this year, there was a plea for donated breast milk. Women wishing to donate milk may call the Mothers' Milk Bank at (408) 998-4550, or e-mail the bank at milkbank AT earthlink.net. Check out S.F. Chronicle articles at: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2000/02/01 /MN71564.DTL There were also follow up articles discussing the positive response received.

Laurel
The Mothers' Milk Bank would love your milk! They're at (408) 998-4550. They'll send you forms to fill out, including one to have your doctor sign saying that you're healthy (I think), and that your baby won't suffer from your donating the milk. Good for you (and congratulations on your ability to produce so much extra milk!).

Here is the link for the Human Milk Banking Association of North America. They have listings of all the milk banks on their site. http://www.hmbana.org/ The closest one to us, is in San Jose.

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

Different Milk Banks have different rules. Some will not take milk from a mom who has a baby over 12 mos. Others will only take milk that you can guarantee was expressed when you had not been on any medicationat all (which might be hard with older frozen supply) even if it is something entirely safe like tylenol. Some banks will not take any milk at certain times because they are "full". (Apparently in some areas very few drs will write the required prescription for breast milk, instead they put the baby on formula.) All banks are strict about who they will take donations from as far as testing for HIV and Hepititis go, but some will take the lab work done from your pregnancy, and others will make you do it all over again. From the moms that I know who have donated, San Jose seems to be one of he more "flexible" banks around.

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.

Trish
Here is the most local source: Mothers' Milk Bank, San Jose, CA (408) 998-4550 I hope they take your precious milk and help a baby survive!

From: Mikee (11/98)

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.

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