How do you feel about unscreened donor milk?

[~ Mylitta ~]

I've donated frozen EBM to two precious babies so far, and am about to donate more to a third baby in the next week or so. None of the mothers have ever requested blood screening. I was curious why they didn't ask for it, even when I offered, so I asked one of the Mum's. She basically told me that some of it is based on research that there is really not terribly much that can be passed on through breastmilk, partly trust, and partly observation. She met me in person and met my kids. She could see that both (I just had two at the time) looked very healthy and she said I looked healthy and that my environment looked 'clean' (so now hygiene issues visible and from the smell of my house and me she knew I was telling the truth about being a non-smoker). But she said the biggest reason she feels to trust Mums that are still breastfeeding their own kids is that Mums generally want to do the best for their kids and try to be as healthy as possible while breastfeeding. The only person she had ever requested a blood screening from was a Mum that no longer breastfed her own children but was continuing to express just to continue donating. So basically I agree with what Blessedatlast said here:

Thing is, often when the call for milk goes out the people that are willing to do it are most likely part of a natural parenting community, so even if you don't know them, someone you know does.. You know they have the same ideas about BF as you do, which is why they are willing to donate milk. It's not like they are just completely random strangers..

Yes, that's true.. Another issue is the cost!!! The milk bank near me wanted to charge me $80 for 1.1L... If the milk bank and formula were my only options I would have had to use formula at least some of the time.. Luckily for me though, they weren't the only options and I got EBM FREE from wonderful sharing milky mama's

Yes, breastmilk from a milk bank is extremely expensive and a lot of the "goodies" are denatured when the milk is pasteurised (although it is still better than formula). It's also very hard to get for just a "normal" baby. Having a low milk supply often isn't a good enough reason to be able to buy milk from a milk bank. They only have a limited supply and they basically triage recipients so that the most "needy" get it. So premmies and babies with nutritional issues get first dibs.

For myself personally, if I had to get milk for my kids, then I would prefer donated milk over milk bank milk, and I would prefer milk bank milk over formula. Even though I happily donate without being screened (other than my pregnancy screening), I think I would probably still request blood screening if the donor was a stranger and if there was time to wait for the results.

[Phteven]

I guess that it's incorrect to call informal donations unscreened. Clearly Mums are screening, they are just relying on honesty and their own observations as a screening method rather than blood tests.

[Maruschke]

I guess that it's incorrect to call informal donations unscreened. Clearly Mums are screening, they are just relying on honesty and their own observations as a screening method rather than blood tests.

Good point, though when I made the OP I was thinking of formal blood tests. We are always constantly assessing situations, no way to really avoid it.

Mylitta that was a great post.

[Cassius2]

I have donated BM in both situations: to a stranger and to a close friend in need. the stranger was through my homebirth network and i guess had the reassurance of my pathology etc from my IM etc. and my close friend had trust in me.

I was never formally screened for the donation of BM and TBH if i was in the same situation and had access to the same support networks then I would accept.

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

Very interesting debate! I have donated milk myself, but never accepted. My DS was intolerant to cow milk and hypersensitive to caffeine and sugar - so just a small bit of Cadbury's would mean a nightmare 24 hours for me. I'm not going to screen mothers for their normal diet because it was a strange diet I was on. Also DH is allergic to nuts so I was also nut-free in pregnancy and BFing. I cannot in all reason ask other women to give up chocolate brazil nuts. Or sticky toffee puddings. Or to change their usual drinks.

I wouldn't accept milk from a stranger either, I would like to vet the woman if not formally test her.

Also, I fed my newborn formula. It really isn't the end of the world. I'd have preferred to have not been in hospital with bullies insisting I would never feed my child myself then trying to ensure I gave up, but that's lesson learnt for next time rather than wishing it never happened.