Milk Donor

Some people donate blood, some donate plasma…. I donate breastmilk.





A couple weeks ago I sent my first shipment out to the International Breast Milk Project bank. The IBMP sends frozen breastmilk to Africa for children in need, and retains some for domestic use in hospital NICUs.
Over the past 10 months I have been “pumping” everyday. Brianna doesn’t always drink as much as I produce, so I end up freezing some in sterilized BM bags (my favorite brand is Lansinoh – I’ve tried Medela and Gerber – both are shoddy).
Yes, I do feel like a milk-cow sometimes.
No, it hasn’t taken an inordinate amount of time to do this. I can multitask while pumping – read, use the laptop, etc.
Don’t think me to be completely altruistic here – I get a brand new double electric pump for being a donor! And I need it – my Lansinoh double electric is sloooooowwwing down. Very annoying.
I went through quite a process to get qualified – extensive questionnaire, donor DNA cheek swab, BLOOD DRAW, and physician authorization.
But it’s all worth it. Brian agrees – he’s glad to finally have our freezer space back.
My brother asked a good question when I told him about this (yeah, I told him – slightly awkward dinner table conversation perhaps). He wondered why they don’t just send formula powder. Easier to ship, less costly, etc.
Here are a few facts:
Babies who receive breastmilk have a greatly reduced risk of developing serious infections of the lungs, circulatory system, and urinary tract.
Breastmilk has more than 100,000 components including unique protective proteins, enzymes, and fatty acids. These cannot be replicated.
Breastfed babies have a reduced risk of SIDS, sepsis, necrotizing enterocolitis, diabetes, asthma, obesity, leukemia, and other forms of cancer.
And the best part – I receive an incredible feeling of satisfaction at the thought that I’m nursing needy babies by proxy.