If you had no breastmilk, would you use a breastmilk bank?

[Rouge]

Think about all the milk that gets wasted in breastpads in the early days from overflow! I was expressing so Seth could latch and it would take 50mls each side before he could get hold. And my pads would be soaked I went through boxes in a week... I still use them and he's 6mths old! I easily expressed 200mls a day for the first few weeks just to take the edge off.

Even if people only did it during their stay in hospital I think it would all add up!

*hugs*
Cailin

[Debbie Lee]

Ooo I hope I have a supply like that next time, Cailin!
I stopped leaking very quickly and I never, ever felt so full that I had to express first

[MantaRay]

I also had tonnes of milk. I started expressing for Jack when he started day care at 7 months and I always got so much more than I needed. Once he self-weaned (14 months) I went through the freezer at home and the one at day care and threw out so much frozen EBM that I could have fed someone else's baby for a year LOL. Day care must have been glad to get their freezer back! I would also donate as I'd rather someone else benefit than have extra milk to go waste.

I would also use donated EBM for a premmie. My first choice would be to use milk from a friend if available, but I would use a bank otherwise.

[BellyBelly]

I'm not taking sides or defending anything but I think the words used can sometimes come across as an attack while it looks like it is not one... not to point the finger because I don't mean that, but if someone said to you that something you would do repulses them, I think it would make them feel a need to defend themselves. Again not justifying anyone or anything, but the words we choose do effect the way in which people will respond. It's human nature and with the combined effect of the internet (somewhat anonymous) we don't hold back or stop and think about it as much as we would with a friend or in person. Also I noticed the tune of the conversation changed when the information was posted from the hospital website, so I don't think many actually read the website to see that it does have safety processes in place etc. We can still like it or not, but we can choose better words

[EllyBoo72]

if someone said to you that something you would do repulses them, I think it would make them feel a need to defend themselves.

Yes Kelly you are absolutely right, and i probably should have chosen softer words, But that was the first word that come to mind when i read the thread LOL!!!! I had no intentions of making anyone feel the need to justify their reasons against or for, and didnt think that i had would have to either, cos i alos felt that i needed to "defend" myself, for making a point that i wouldnt use the milk bank.
The thought of giving my baby someone elses bodlily fluids just eeks me. Not just breast milk, but blood too. Perhaps maybe its the "unknown" of it all. And when the seeds of "what If", is planted in my head, it makes it hard to accept IYKWIM.

Fletch, Thank you, I think we are on the same wavelength of thinking

[MantaRay]

Ally, that's an interesting point you make about blood. I wonder whether people who wouldn't use donated EBM would or wouldn't allow their child a blood transfusion? It seems that the risks of something being passed on would be the same (or maybe even more with blood as the milk is pasteruised), although of course if blood is needed it is probably a life or death decision so the implications are much more serious. I'm just curious about this because it's not something I had considered.

[EllyBoo72]

Ally, that's an interesting point you make about blood. I wonder whether people who wouldn't use donated EBM would or wouldn't allow their child a blood transfusion? It seems that the risks of something being passed on would be the same (or maybe even more with blood as the milk is pasteruised), although of course if blood is needed it is probably a life or death decision so the implications are much more serious. I'm just curious about this because it's not something I had considered.

Mel, It does make an interesting point too. If it came down to a life and death situation, I (as i am sure you and many others may do also) would definately do anything to save my babies life, Heavens I would use absolutely ANYTHING in a Dire situation if it meant saving his life! Therefore if Donated breast milk was the ONLY thing to save the life of my prem baby, yes i would absolutely use it!!

[*Efjay*]

Fletch I am sorry that my question has made you feel this way. I honestly only question other peoples opinions to get a better idea of things.
I can't remember exactly who said it but a few pages back it was pointed outthat the reason many may be put off by the idea of using human milk is because those of a different species don't carry the same human diseases. That makes sence to me.

Personally I don't think anyone is being pushy, I don't think anyone has posted anything to try & convince those who are agaisnt to come join those who are for. I think its just simply been a case of people try to shed some light on the issues raised.

[Liz]

Also I noticed the tune of the conversation changed when the information was posted from the hospital website, so I don't think many actually read the website to see that it does have safety processes in place etc. We can still like it or not, but we can choose better words

Yup.. I still haven't read it But as soon as I read the quotes from it, my perspective changed.. as I said in my original post about my 1st, 2nd & 3rd thoughts on the matter.

I think there is a definite yuk factor to it.. some people won't share straws in a drink.. let alone feeding your baby with someone elses milk. But if safety processes are in place, I think it's definitely worth consideration to get past that yuk factor.. because ultimately it's going to be to the benefit of the little bubs.

Oh - I'll also add.. at our antenatal class, in our group discussions.. we were told to list the good things about breastfeeding.. and DH said "coz it tastes yum".. and I can't tell you the looks of revulsion on everyone's faces at the thought of tasting the breastmilk. Poor DH shrunk into his seat.. he had every intention of tasting the breastmilk coz he'd heard it was sweet! LOL. So some people really are revulsed by the thought of someone elses milk - even their own partners!

[Debbie Lee]

Neil was scared of mine, Ivana. I would often threaten to squirt him and he'd run away!
This was despite one of his very good mates encouraging him to have a taste. He would say, "Get her to eat some milo and it'll taste like a chocolate milkshake!!". LOL

[Phteven]

I was just checking I wasn't sure ROFL

ps. It's pig!

OMG!!! Are you sure!!! I would really appreciate it if you could give me your source for this and/or tell me where I can find more info. Are there non-pig alternatives? This is huge issue for Jewish and Muslim women. Is it just the gels ? Sorry for hijacking the thread.

Anyway...... I was thinking about the whole issue of EBM v another woman breastfeeding. to start with I was thinking I couldn't cope with seeing another woman breastfeeding my baby because its such an intimate and cozy time and because of the bond between a breastfeeding mum and her baby but then I thought about it a bit more and I thought that this POV is mainly about my needs - what about my baby's needs? Why should I deny my baby that coziness and cuddleyness? In the long term or even the short term its not going to damage the bond I have with my baby. Then again, I have to say that I would never let any of my ILs breastfeed my baby.

[*Efjay*]

In Kells OP about that, she says that it use to be used. Still be interested to know the reply from Kelly.

[Phteven]

ah..... so it does - do they use artificial stuff now?

[christy]

oh thats interesting Chloe I hadn't thought of it that way as far as cultural information goes.

OTT FJ have you ever had to help with AI on the job? I tell you extracting semen from a dog is pretty embarrassing stuff...

[Rouge]

LOL Christy, a gf of mine had to help with a horse once (she was doing something to do with volunteer vet work on farms)... She said it was the most horrific experience of her life LOL!

Chloe, I too hadn't thought of the cultural ramifications. I imagine thats why its synthetic these days...

*hugs*
Cailin

[Trillian]

I admit I didn't read all of the site either, just the first bit to get an idea of what it was all about - but I figured that naturally they would have these safety processes in place.

I voted not sure, but I hope that I never have to even contemplate using it. I think I would have a lot of issues with it mainly because of the "I can't give my baby BM, so no-one else is doing it for me" sort of thing.

[*Efjay*]

LMAO Christy! Yes I have actually. I worked for a Vet who mostly deals with breeders so c-sections & AI's were every day routine things there. Mind you, I don't see why you would spend so much time gaining a Veterinary degree so you can set up shop to **** dogs!

[{sarah}]

Fletch I think what was being questioned was women saying they would donate but not use it, not someone like you that wouldn't do either. It was more of a question of why would you be happy to give your milk to someone else's baby but not allow your baby to have someone elses' milk.