Ask a Mum who donates breast milk

saraendepity · Feb 27th, 2010, 16:51 PM

Welcome to our weekly Ask a Mum thread

If you are unfamiliar with these threads, the concept is that each week a member is nominated to speak about an issue that relates to them. People may ask them as many questions as they wish, and they will do their best to answer them. The idea is that we all learn about one another, and discuss issues and lifestyles that affect one another.

This week's member is FemmeEnceinte

Femme Enceinte is mummy to Molly who is 2 months old. She Donates her breast milk to her local Milk Bank to help babies who are in need of it in hospitals. She is happy to answer any questions you may have on the subject!

If you would like to volunteer to be one of our Ask A Mums, then please PM me. (Please do not post in this thread)

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Lu28 · Feb 27th, 2010, 17:05 PM

I think it's absolutely amazing that you do this hon

What made you think of it and how long a day do you spend pumping for donation? I used to pump alongside bfing and it was such a pain, I can't imagine being selfless enough to do it for someone else!

AtomicPink · Feb 27th, 2010, 17:07 PM

saraendepity what happened to the mum who ate her placenta? I was really intrigued by that and wanted to find out more?

FemmeEnceinte I totally admire you.I exclusively expressed for Alex for 15 weeks while she was in neonatal and worried I'd 'dry up' so to speak. Most of the other mums did. I got home and just couldnt do it anymore, not with Alex being home, I felt like i had no time?

Do you breastfeed Molly too?
How are you finding pumping AND feeding Molly - where do you find the time?
How long do you plan to do it?
Whats the regulations for you donating breast milk to the bank, if any?

saraendepity · Feb 27th, 2010, 17:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sb22

saraendepity what happened to the mum who ate her placenta? I was really intrigued by that and wanted to find out more?

FemmeEnceinte I totally admire you.I exclusively expressed for Alex for 15 weeks while she was in neonatal and worried I'd 'dry up' so to speak. Most of the other mums did. I got home and just couldnt do it anymore, not with Alex being home, I felt like i had no time?

Do you breastfeed Molly too?
How are you finding pumping AND feeding Molly - where do you find the time?
How long do you plan to do it?
Whats the regulations for you donating breast milk to the bank, if any?

Coming soon again hunny..she had to put her week back a little but she will be up soon :-)

FemmeEnceinte · Feb 27th, 2010, 17:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lu28

I think it's absolutely amazing that you do this hon

What made you think of it and how long a day do you spend pumping for donation? I used to pump alongside bfing and it was such a pain, I can't imagine being selfless enough to do it for someone else!

There was a lady on here, back when I was pregnant, who posted a link to ukamb (I think might have been babyshambelle). I had a look and felt very enthusiastic about it. Contacted my local milk bank and they said to get in touch once I'd settled into BFing Molly and they'd set me up. After Molly spent 24h in NICU and I saw the tiny and poorly babies in there, I just felt so overwhelmed for them and their families that I got into it quite quickly.

I pump once a day usually for 10-20 mins and, as I have an overactive letdown, I get about 8-10oz! and pop them into 2-3 separate bottles.

x

FemmeEnceinte · Feb 27th, 2010, 17:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sb22

saraendepity what happened to the mum who ate her placenta? I was really intrigued by that and wanted to find out more?

FemmeEnceinte I totally admire you.I exclusively expressed for Alex for 15 weeks while she was in neonatal and worried I'd 'dry up' so to speak. Most of the other mums did. I got home and just couldnt do it anymore, not with Alex being home, I felt like i had no time?

Do you breastfeed Molly too?
How are you finding pumping AND feeding Molly - where do you find the time?
How long do you plan to do it?
Whats the regulations for you donating breast milk to the bank, if any?

I do BF too, I tried giving her EBM a couple of times but she's not a fan of bottles so now we're just exclusively BFing.

I pump in the evenings when OH has her, usually about the same time. Molly sleeps from about 9-3 and 4-8 so around midnight I'm good to go! Sometimes I have to wake to do it. In the earlier days I pumped a bit before (overactive letdown) and after every feed but as she's going longer between feeds it's much easier. There were times I almost threw in the towel during Molly's growth spurts because I just couldn't get much out. I still have days like this but I try not to put pressure on myself and just do what I can.

I'd like to do it for as long as possible really. I plan to BF until Molly self weans and would be happy to keep pumping after then, even. Just until it's no longer convenient. If it happens soon, I'm OK with that too. Again, trying not to put pressure on myself as my priorities could change at any minute.

Regulations are the standard things like, you can't have AIDS/Hepatitis, Can't have had a blood transfusion after 1980, Can't have been with a man who has been with another man, Can't use painkillers and express within 48h, Can't drink more than 2 units per day of alcohol, Can't be on any illegal drugs, Can be on the POP contraceptive pill only, etc. And then there are things like blood tests and only being able to donate within the first 6 months of lactation.

x

Katieeeee · Feb 27th, 2010, 17:55 PM

Hi

Do you ever meet or hear from the mothers who use your donated breastmilk?

helent1983 · Feb 27th, 2010, 18:02 PM

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

FemmeEnceinte · Feb 27th, 2010, 18:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katieeeee

Hi

Do you ever meet or hear from the mothers who use your donated breastmilk?

Sadly not

FemmeEnceinte · Feb 27th, 2010, 18:17 PM

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

)

Feb 27th, 2010, 16:51 PM	#1
saraendepity Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Co Durham Posts: 6,500	Ask a Mum who donates breast milk Welcome to our weekly Ask a Mum thread If you are unfamiliar with these threads, the concept is that each week a member is nominated to speak about an issue that relates to them. People may ask them as many questions as they wish, and they will do their best to answer them. The idea is that we all learn about one another, and discuss issues and lifestyles that affect one another. This week's member is FemmeEnceinte Femme Enceinte is mummy to Molly who is 2 months old. She Donates her breast milk to her local Milk Bank to help babies who are in need of it in hospitals. She is happy to answer any questions you may have on the subject! If you would like to volunteer to be one of our Ask A Mums, then please PM me. (Please do not post in this thread) You need to include what subjects you would like to talk about, and then when it is your week I will PM you the weekend before. Please note though, that it may take several weeks for it to be your turn. If you have any questions about the Ask A Mum threads, then please PM me. These threads are for questions for our weekly Mum only. Previous Ask A Mum Threads: Post Natal Depression 7 Kids 10 and Under Survived domestic violence Assisted Conception Teen Mums in UK & US Cloth Nappies/Diapers Baby Signing Baby Led Weaning BLW Hypno Birthing Working Mum Fell Pregnant 5 wks in to relationship Living with a disibility Baby Wearing Ask a DAD! Dual Military Family Partner in Afghanistan for birth Baby born at 24 weeks Back to back pregnancies Pregnant after tube removal Intended to FF but ended up BF Ask a Mum who Formula Fed her baby from birth. Co-sleeps with her baby Baby was a slow weight gainer Had a Home Birth Has 4 children by 3 different fathers Baby Has A Cow Protein Allergy 19 and has 2 kids with no help from family Ask a Mum who is a Midwife Ask a Mum who has M.E Ask a Mum who suffered with Hyperemesis Ask a Mum who was in a Mother and Baby unit Ask a Mum who's baby had DDH Ask a Mum of a mixed race baby Ask a Mum who went back to coollege 1 month after giving birth Coming soon to Ask a Mum........ Ask a mum who moved countries before her baby was 3 months old....

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Feb 27th, 2010, 17:05 PM	#2
Lu28 Mum (Mom) BnB Elite Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 12,646	I think it's absolutely amazing that you do this hon What made you think of it and how long a day do you spend pumping for donation? I used to pump alongside bfing and it was such a pain, I can't imagine being selfless enough to do it for someone else!
	Bespoke silver fingerprint, handprint and footprint jewellery.
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Feb 27th, 2010, 17:07 PM	#3
AtomicPink Mum (Mom) BnB Elite Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Scotland Posts: 19,122	saraendepity what happened to the mum who ate her placenta? I was really intrigued by that and wanted to find out more? FemmeEnceinte I totally admire you.I exclusively expressed for Alex for 15 weeks while she was in neonatal and worried I'd 'dry up' so to speak. Most of the other mums did. I got home and just couldnt do it anymore, not with Alex being home, I felt like i had no time? Do you breastfeed Molly too? How are you finding pumping AND feeding Molly - where do you find the time? How long do you plan to do it? Whats the regulations for you donating breast milk to the bank, if any?

Status: Offline

Feb 27th, 2010, 17:55 PM	#7
Katieeeee Mum (Mom) Inactive Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Essex Posts: 3,426	Hi Do you ever meet or hear from the mothers who use your donated breastmilk?

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Feb 27th, 2010, 18:02 PM	#8
helent1983 Other Active BnB Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Leeds Posts: 776	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

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