I just found out about mother-to-mother sharing of donated milk (Human Milk 4 Human Babies). I didn't know this was an option before, and sadly I was unable to produce any milk after my daughter was about 5 months. Naturally, I put her on formula because I thought that was my only option. But now I've found out about this donation service and am considering it.
What do you think? Would you used donated breast milk instead of formula if it were an option for you?
persimmon / 1180 posts
I would absolutely use donor milk. Even after it's been pasteurized, it still is better than formula, IMO. I got a couple of sample containers of formula last week and was shocked after reading the ingredients in those things.
wonderful cherry / 21504 posts
Maybe in the very beginning, especially if the baby was born early. But after 5 months, your baby will have gotten so many of the benefits of breast milk anyway so I prob wouldn't bother.
I do have a friend who donated 150 oz to a milk bank. I was so so impressed with her- both in producing that much extra and in being willing to give it away. They are pretty strict with what they take.
bananas / 9628 posts
maybe my feelings will change once i have a LO, but right now, i'd say, absolutely! i'm not against formula, there is often a need for it, but if you can give human milk that is screened & safe to a baby, i guess i don't see reasons not to use it. i've heard some people say that is weirds them out that their LO would be drinking milk that came from some strange woman's breast, but almost all of us have drank milk that came from a non human's udder, so that seems even weirder to me.
persimmon / 1180 posts
@Mrs. Jacks: That is awesome!! I kind of envy you. 
I would love to donate after LO is here, but I take Zoloft, so I can't. 
blogger / pineapple / 12381 posts
@boiledpnut: It was so fun. Our little donor guy still sometimes calls me mama :)!
pineapple / 12526 posts
No, I'd just use formula. Formula fed babies grow up just fine.
pomegranate / 3383 posts
This may be a dumb question, but is the donated milk free? For that reason, and the added reason of the many benefits of breastmilk, I would definitely use donated milk!
I do find the process of defrosting breastmilk more arduous than making a bottle of formula though.
GOLD / wonderful apricot / 22276 posts
@Sammyfab: Yes it's free!
I would probably just use formula though, but I would definitely donate my own!
cherry / 110 posts
@Sammyfab: That's kinda how I feel. I actually know the mother who would be donating, so I feel "safe." Also, I think of history and babies often nursed from several women (mothers and wet nurses). I actually think this could give infants an immunological advantage b/c of immune components that pass through breast milk and different people = different immunities.
Thanks for the opinions ladies!
GOLD / squash / 13464 posts
I would accept donor milk in a personal situation where I knew exactly who it was coming from. I would not be comfortable using donated milk from a bank.
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21616 posts
@boiledpnut: agreed!!
yes I would for sure... I remember reading a milk donating site and you were allowed to have a partnership with one donating mom and could ask them questions about diet/medication etc
wonderful cherry / 21504 posts
If it is free, then I might actually feel worse using it. I was under the impression that it's mainly for premies who need it and their moms can't BF or their milk hasn't come in. In that case, I'd only want to use it with a newborn, so I was taking a precious resource that someone needed more than me.
But I might be way off base and there might be plenty of it to go around. I have no idea. But just on the basis of is it weird, or gross, that I would have no problem with.
pineapple / 12234 posts
I would probably formula feed. Something about it makes me uncomfortable...
pomelo / 5093 posts
I used my sister's milk while my baby was in the NICU. I was producing well, but they wanted her to have even more due to potential kidney issues. It was one of the greatest gifts I've ever gotten.
I eventually donated 150 ounces of my own milk to another mother, which was really awesome.
pomegranate / 3706 posts
I'd use another mom's milk in a heartbeat. It's hard to get someone to give it to an 8 month old--they prefer to donate to newborn babies, but I really hope that someday milk banks are all over the place and it's a common option for moms who don't produce enough/ can't BF.
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