s/o bfing and donated milk

[jennlin]

No, I would not donate to places that charge moms for milk.

I donated over 600 oz of milk, mother to mother. It was all milk from when I didn't know I/bjl couldn't have dairy. I tried to donate to an official bank, but they wanted too much paperwork filled out that I got lazy.

[jennlin]

I would only accept donated milk from a trusted friend or family member. Maybe a friend of a friend.

[catbus]

I would donate milk, and may still. Initially when I went back to work I was pumping 3x/day and getting 28 or more ounces every day. E was only taking 16-20 oz., so I was picturing a long-term surplus and would have definitely donated. Instead, I decided to cut down to two daily pumping sessions, and E started reliably needing 20 oz. at daycare, so I was just keeping pace with him. Now, I've done a couple things that have brought my supply up again so I'm pumping 22-24 oz., but E's solids intake has increased and he's now taking 16 oz. at daycare, so again I have a daily surplus. All that to say... I'm keeping an eye on my freezer inventory and will probably donate if it gets over two gallons again.

I wouldn't seek out donated milk from someone I don't know. I would consider asking a friend if I knew she had a strong supply and her milk was fairly "clean."

[Deleted]

The official word in the physicians manual is that my anti-depressant should be ok to maintain while pregnant but not really while BFing. Of course, there aren't really good studies either way other than the baby goes through withdrawals after birth (considering how I feel when I've missed a pill for 2 days, I would NOT put my baby through that!) If I ever manage to get ktfu, I plan on immediately doing the safest and fastest wean off my medication. However, I have been concerned after birth with the little sleep, weird schedule, new stress, and possibility of PPD how long I'd be able to stay off my med in order to bf.

While I think bfing is really important, I also know that its MORE important for a baby not to have a severely depressed/semi-suicidal mum so if it gets bad enough, I'll have to stop bf in order to get back on my meds. In case of any of that, I would seek out donations from friends (or friends of friends) but don't think that I would go all the way to a donor program, etc.

(And in case you're wondering, I'm not doing well enough right now to be off my med while TTGKTFU.)