Ask a Mum who donates breast milk - Page 2

helent1983 · Feb 27th, 2010, 18:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FemmeEnceinte

Quote:

Originally Posted by helent1983

Hi! I am quite interested in doing this myself but have a couple of questions!

1. I have never expressed. Will this be a problem or will I be able to pick it up quite easily?

2. Would I need to buy my own pump or do the banks supply them?

Thanks

P.S I think you are brilliant for doing what you are doing! xxx

If you're currently BFing, it depends on how long you've been BFing for (starting after 6 months you won't be eligible anyway) as people do notice a decreased ability to pump after a while if they haven't been pumping religiously. Even those who have can struggle as time goes on.

Either way, it's definitely an individual thing... some women get on with pumping, some don't. Some can pump lots no matter when they start and some can't.

They do supply pumps if you haven't got any and any other equipment you need for storage (except a freezer

)

Gutted I am pass 6 months! Never mind maybe I could do it next time (if there is a next time LOL). Thanks for answering!

xx

bky · Feb 27th, 2010, 18:53 PM

This wasn't something that had ever occurred to me, but after reading about a few people on here doing it it's certainly something I will look into (assuming I can manage to express enough) as I'll be pumping anyhow.

caz81 · Feb 27th, 2010, 23:56 PM

I think its fab what you are doing

I wondered in what sort of situations is your milk used in the hospitals? xx

abigail_71 · Feb 28th, 2010, 05:43 AM

I read about this whilst back in Southampton where they were appealing for donors, sadly I now live is the darkest recess of west Wales where there is no milk bank. I'm gutted as I think this is an amazing thing to do and would love to be involved. Really, really well done you.

louise1302 · Feb 28th, 2010, 06:05 AM

no questions i just wanted to say well done xx

FemmeEnceinte · Feb 28th, 2010, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caz81

I think its fab what you are doing

I wondered in what sort of situations is your milk used in the hospitals? xx

Thank you. So far as I know, it's used for premature babies in NICU.

x

bloodbinds · Feb 28th, 2010, 08:21 AM

I am in awe of you! I think this is amazing!

My mum used to donate apprently

I would also like to, i always thought i would really, if i had enough milk and it seems i do have quite a lot. I have a freezer full of milk at the moment from the past two months, i was saving up so my sister could give her milk in a bottle when babysitting, but Bella won't accept bottle anymore so am left with a load of frozen milk which i don't want to waste!

How does it work? What do you have to do? Do you freeze the milk then take it to your nearest milk bank? Do you need a cold container type thing to transfer the milk in? Or do they collect?

FemmeEnceinte · Feb 28th, 2010, 08:24 AM

They have volunteers who collect for you. Generally they provide the sterile containers and ask for exceptional hygiene, right down to popping the containers into one bag/box in the freezer to reduce excess handling, so I'm not sure that they would accept milk you have already stored but they might just. They run tests on it anyway, to make sure it's OK and not contaminated.

purpledahlia · Feb 28th, 2010, 11:06 AM

How long does the milk last frozen?

How long does it have to still be ok, after freezing and transferring and checked.. is there a timescale in which it has to be used?

FemmeEnceinte · Feb 28th, 2010, 13:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by purpledahlia

How long does the milk last frozen?

How long does it have to still be ok, after freezing and transferring and checked.. is there a timescale in which it has to be used?

6-12 months.

I'm not sure about the exact nature of their timescale. They ask that I freeze within 24 hours, but you can keep it in a fridge for up to 5 days so they're extra cautious. They take the milk in a little freezer and when they want it, they defrost, check and use within 24h. I imagine they defrost straight away as they need it straight away. Not enough people donate for there to be a backdated store.

Feb 27th, 2010, 18:53 PM	#12
bky Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Christchurch, NZ Posts: 4,013	This wasn't something that had ever occurred to me, but after reading about a few people on here doing it it's certainly something I will look into (assuming I can manage to express enough) as I'll be pumping anyhow.

Status: Offline

Feb 27th, 2010, 23:56 PM	#13
caz81 Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 7,219	I think its fab what you are doing I wondered in what sort of situations is your milk used in the hospitals? xx

Status: Offline

Feb 28th, 2010, 05:43 AM	#14
abigail_71 Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Pembrokeshire Posts: 516	I read about this whilst back in Southampton where they were appealing for donors, sadly I now live is the darkest recess of west Wales where there is no milk bank. I'm gutted as I think this is an amazing thing to do and would love to be involved. Really, really well done you.

Status: Offline

Feb 28th, 2010, 06:05 AM	#15
louise1302 Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: manchester,uk Posts: 6,575	no questions i just wanted to say well done xx

Status: Offline

Feb 28th, 2010, 08:21 AM	#17
bloodbinds Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Birmingham Posts: 6,563	I am in awe of you! I think this is amazing! My mum used to donate apprently I would also like to, i always thought i would really, if i had enough milk and it seems i do have quite a lot. I have a freezer full of milk at the moment from the past two months, i was saving up so my sister could give her milk in a bottle when babysitting, but Bella won't accept bottle anymore so am left with a load of frozen milk which i don't want to waste! How does it work? What do you have to do? Do you freeze the milk then take it to your nearest milk bank? Do you need a cold container type thing to transfer the milk in? Or do they collect?

Status: Offline

Feb 28th, 2010, 08:24 AM	#18
FemmeEnceinte Mum (Mom) Inactive Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 5,903	They have volunteers who collect for you. Generally they provide the sterile containers and ask for exceptional hygiene, right down to popping the containers into one bag/box in the freezer to reduce excess handling, so I'm not sure that they would accept milk you have already stored but they might just. They run tests on it anyway, to make sure it's OK and not contaminated.

Status: Offline

Feb 28th, 2010, 11:06 AM	#19
purpledahlia Mum (Mom) BnB Elite Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 14,871	How long does the milk last frozen? How long does it have to still be ok, after freezing and transferring and checked.. is there a timescale in which it has to be used?

Status: Offline

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