Who needs breastmilk?

All babies need breastmilk. But some, like premature babies, have an extra need. Preemies are babies born before the 37th week of pregnancy. These tiny babies need the milk’s rich nutrients and disease-fighting protection to grow. Breastmilk can also help babies with failure to thrive, babies who can’t digest formula and babies with allergies.

Why should I donate my breastmilk?

Breastmilk gives babies the nutrition and disease-fighting proteins they need to help them grow. Many moms donate their extra milk to help babies in need. They see their own baby doing well and want to give that gift to others.

Who needs donated breastmilk?

Babies whose moms can’t make enough milk and preemies need donor milk the most. There are others who can use it as well, such as babies who cry nonstop, vomit a lot or have food allergies.

Why do babies need donor breastmilk? Don’t their mothers breastfeed?

It’s best for a mother to nurse her own baby, but sometimes that’s not possible. Moms who may not be able to nurse a baby include those who:
· Have adopted their children
· Don’t make enough milk
· Don’t begin making milk quickly enough
· Have a serious infection or are critically ill
For these moms, milk from a donor is an excellent option.

Why can’t these mothers use formula or regular milk? Why do they need my breastmilk?

Babies need breastmilk. It’s vital to a baby’s growth. It also helps infants fight illness, which can be critical for babies born too early. But not all milk is the same. Mother’s milk – or breastmilk – is the ideal food for babies. A complex fluid, breastmilk has more than 100,000 elements.

Cow’s milk has many of the same nutrients as breastmilk, but not in the right levels for a baby. While it’s well-balanced for calves, cow’s milk lacks some vital elements that a human baby needs. The nutrients in cow’s milk can also be hard for a baby to digest. Plus, feeding cow’s milk to a baby too early can cause allergies later in life. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that mothers avoid giving their infants cow’s milk during the first year of life.

Formula, such as that found in the grocery store, provides the same basic nutrition found in breastmilk. But the unique ingredients of breastmilk – the protective proteins, enzymes and more – can’t be found in formula or cow’s milk. They can’t even be added artificially. This is why breastmilk is best.

What are the benefits of breastmilk for infants?

Breastmilk is best because:
· It has the right balance of nutrients to help a baby grow
· It gives babies essential enzymes needed to break down food
· It provides babies the protection they need to fight germs and stay healthy
Premature babies benefit the most from breastmilk. These babies need the milk’s rich nutrients and disease-fighting protection to grow. Breastmilk can also help babies with failure to thrive, babies who can’t digest formula and babies with allergies. Babies are almost never allergic to breastmilk.
Breastmilk tastes different every time a baby nurses. This unique benefit helps babies enjoy many different foods later in life.

Are there any benefits for me?

Absolutely. Breastfeeding is good for moms as well as babies. After giving birth, breastfeeding can:
· Help a woman return to her pre-pregnancy weight. The body makes milk from the fat stored during pregnancy, which can help a woman lose weight quickly
· Shrink a woman’s hips through the release of a hormone called oxytocin. Hips expand during pregnancy to make room for the baby
· Help a mother bond with her baby
· Delay the return of a woman’s period
· Ease bleeding from childbirth
· Help a woman retain iron, reducing the risk of anemia (low iron in blood)
· Give a mother the confidence that she is doing everything she can to make sure her baby is healthy
These are just some of the benefits breastfeeding can provide right after birth. It also helps women long term. Studies have shown that breastfeeding may reduce a woman’s chance of getting cancer of the ovaries, uterus or breasts, as well as lessen the risk of developing arthritis and certain types of heart disease. It can also decrease the chance of getting osteoporosis later in life.

How do I know if I am a candidate for donating milk?

Just about any nursing mother can donate. If you are healthy with a good medical history, you are a likely candidate. We will ask you questions about your health. Then you’ll have your blood tested for any problems or diseases. After that, you should be able to donate. Please view our page “Donor Information” for more details.

If I decide to donate, where do I go and what do I do?

Contact us directly. We will answer any questions you have and explain the next step necessary to donate.

When can I start expressing milk for the milk bank?

You should start breastfeeding your own baby before you donate. Most milk banks recommend a mom wait three to four weeks after her baby’s birth to begin donating. You can continue to donate as long as you wish.

When should I express?

It’s up to you. Most moms find it easier to set a time each day to express milk. If you notice that you have more milk in the morning, that would be a good time to pump. It can be harder to collect it if you don’t do it regularly. Some moms express from one breast while their babies feed from the other.

Will I have enough milk?

Milk is made on a supply and demand basis. If you express more often, your body will make more milk. Your body adjusts to the amount of milk needed. If you are worried about your baby getting enough milk, you can express an hour or so after feeding your baby. If your baby’s doctor is happy with your baby’s weight gains, you don’t need to worry about having enough milk.

How much milk should I express?

It’s up to you. There are no rules about how much you should express. Different moms produce different amounts of milk at different times of the day. What works for one mom may not work for another. Find out what works best for you and your baby. And remember, even small amounts of milk can feed a lot of very small babies. In fact, two ounces of expressed milk can feed a premature baby for one to two days.

What equipment will I need?

Breast pumps: You will need a breast pump unless you decide to express your milk by hand. We can provide you with a pump and show you how to use it. Instructions for cleaning your pump should be provided.
Bottles and labels: Collecting bottles and preprinted labels will be provided to you by the milk bank. Instructions for filling the containers will also be provided.
Freezer: Donors are asked to freeze their milk immediately after collection in the bottle provided by the milk bank.

How do I prepare to express my milk?

Wash your hands and nails carefully in warm, soapy water. Rinse well and dry using a clean paper towel. Do not handle your pump until you have washed your hands. If you shower daily, you do not need to wash your breasts before pumping.

Breast massage sometimes helps the flow of milk.

After massaging the breast, roll the nipple back and forth between your finger and thumb. Stretch the nipple slightly. This will encourage the release of hormones that help the flow of milk.

How do I store the milk?

If you are using a pump, pump directly into the bottles from us. Do not touch the inside of the lid of the bottle or the bottles themselves. Always leave space at the top of the bottle to allow the milk to expand when it freezes. Freeze the milk immediately after expressing it. Milk bottles should be stored in a container or bag, separate from other foods in the freezer. If you have collected milk that you are donating at one time, only milk that has been frozen for less than three months is fine.

What if I have taken any medications?

Please check with us and let us know exactly which medications you are taking and for how long. This includes over-the-counter remedies (those you can buy without a prescription from your doctor). Our milk bank coordinator will tell you whether you should donate while on those medications.

What if I am ill?

Please contact the milk bank coordinator whenever you are feeling ill or if anyone in the family is ill. They can tell you whether you should stop donating until your illness passes.

Can I drink alcohol?

Most doctors will say that alcohol in moderation is okay, as long as the baby is not fed immediately after having a drink. However, you should check with your doctor to make sure this decision is right for you.

What do I do if I go out of town?

It’s up to you. Expressing when you are away from home can help you maintain your milk supply. However, finding freezer space and transporting the milk home may create problems. You can always stop while you’re away and then resume when you return home.

How do I get the milk to the milk bank?

You have three options. You can: 1) deliver the milk to us yourself; 2) have milk bank volunteers pick it up from your house and drop off new containers and labels. We ask that milk be delivered within two weeks of expression; however, if you are collecting milk for one large donation, you can wait up to three months. In addition, if you have been storing milk in your freezer prior to contacting us, they can accept the donation if it is less than three months old.

Do milk banks have confidentiality policies?

Any information we collect about you remains confidential. Babies who get donor milk remain anonymous. Milk banks try to keep donors informed of what happens to their milk, but cannot guarantee that they will be able to share any details.

Will only babies receive my donated milk?

No. Most breastmilk is given to babies, but some is used for adults. People with cancer use it to calm their stomachs after chemotherapy, make their immune systems stronger and help digest their food. Burn patients use it to heal their burned skin. Organ transplant patients use it to fight infections.

Will I get paid for my breast milk?

No. All breast milk donors offer their milk on a volunteer basis and are not paid.