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How to Donate Breast Milk and Help with Formula Shortages

June 16, 2022

How to donate breast milk to help with formula shortage

Feeding our infants, whichever manner we select, is a troublesome course of. There are late nights, lengthy pumps, irritating manufacturing and let’s face it, it might probably damage! However these days we’ve had so as to add “formulation scarcity” to the listing. Cabinets have been naked for months at this level, which can have you ever panicking or stressing about how to verify your child will get fed.

Whereas we’ve discovered the Biden Administration is transport greater than 44,000 kilos this week, we all know there are households on the market struggling and as mothers we at all times wish to assist. 

Have you ever thought of donating your breast milk? Some mamas produce extra milk than their child wants and as an alternative of dumping it, they donate it! By doing so, you possibly can assist different mothers out who could should complement as a result of they don’t produce sufficient. 

The method is comparatively simple. Begin with a seek for a milk financial institution in your native space. Milk banks join milk donors and milk recipients. You can even discuss to your physician about whether or not they know of a mom in want of breast milk.

Sure, there are eligibility necessities. Be ready to reply lots of questions on your well being. We went to WebMD to find out about who can and might’t donate.

You CAN donate if: 

-You’re in good total well being

-Have breast milk in extra

-Can freeze your breast milk inside 24-48 hours of pumping

-Solely use drugs which can be accredited for donors 

-Meet different minimal necessities of your milk financial institution 

-Aren’t utilizing natural dietary supplements 

You CANNOT donate if: 

-You’ve been or are being handled for HIV, HTLV (human T-cell leukemia virus), hepatitis B or C, or syphilis

-Have a sexual accomplice who’s in danger for HIV, HTLV, hepatitis B or C, or syphilis

-Have used leisure medicine inside the final 12 months

-Smoke or use different tobacco merchandise 

-Drink greater than specified quantity of alcohol 

-Have not too long ago traveled to sure nations

Right here come the steps: You’ll should fill out an software, probably give blood work or medical information and you’ll have to have your pediatrician log out to substantiate you’re breastfeeding. This looks like lots of paperwork, however bear in mind how useful this might be in the long run. 

After you’ve made it by means of the applying course of, subsequent comes prepping/donating. Perhaps we’re drained and don’t do this stuff all the time, however on this case, it’s vital so your milk isn’t contaminated. You’ll must sterilize your pump elements, wash your fingers completely and switch it to freezer baggage with out it touching your fingers. Make sure to label it with the date and time of if you pumped. 

Every milk financial institution could have a distinct course of, some could even pay you. It’s vital to do your analysis and ask questions.

So the place are you able to donate? Listed here are a number of solutions to get you began. 

Mom’s Milk Financial institution is the oldest working milk financial institution in North America and accepts donations all throughout the nation. It’s at the moment accepting a minimal of fifty ounces and as much as 9 months from the day of expression.

The Human Milk Banking Affiliation of North America works with greater than 30 non revenue milk banks in america and Canada that comply with rigorous tips for security.  

TheMilkBank is a non-profit, community-supported entity. It was established to enhance well being outcomes for untimely and unwell infants, foster higher well being for kids and reduce well being care expenditures. 

TinyTreasuresMilkBank takes your donated milk and permits critically unwell and untimely infants the possibility to learn from human milk. The donations might be utilized by Prolacta Bioscience to make human milk-based dietary merchandise. 

If you’re in want of milk, every has choices to obtain milk as properly. 

What questions do you’ve about donating? Do you’ve recommendation you’d prefer to share? We’d like to learn your feedback!


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