Breast Milk Donation for Kings Milk Bank - Worth Considering

[Fuschia]

http://www.ukamb.org/faqs.html

[Fuschia]

http://www.ukamb.org/donor.html

[Yak]

Just wanted to bump this post to encourage people to donate to Kings Milk Bank if they can. I phoned on Wed night to give my details and book the blood test; by Thursday morning a whole load of expressing bottles and information leaflets had arrived by first class post. There is a bit of a backlog for appts but if you are keen to stockpile ahead of the test, they will send the bottles out to you. Just phone the number given above - couldn't be simpler.

[Yak]

Another shameless bump for this thread (although FRM please look kindly on it, given that it's breastfeeding awareness week!). Kings are down to only 10 donors at present from a high of about 65 a couple of years ago. So if you are fortunate enough to have a surplus of milk, please please do consider donating. Some of the babies in the SCBU I saw this morning were so unbelievably tiny and vulnerable, it almost broke my heart.

[ClareC]

I'm happy to do it but does anyone know how long the appointments take for the blood tests? Are they done at Kings?

I don't relish the idea of dragging a baby and toddler on the bus to sit in a windowless toy less waiting room for hours as was my experience of all my antenatal appointments :-(

[Pickle]

Only 10 donors?! That's a real shame, I hope those that can help will do so. Such a worthy cause, and if you're in the habit of expressing for your own baby it's not really any extra hassle.

[cazbee]

Regarding the bloodtests, they are done by the milk bank team themselves and you will be given a specific time slot on level 4 at Kings (opposite the MAU). It didn't take long at all and one of the milk bank volunteers was even on hand to give my little one a cuddle while they took the blood. The whole thing took about 20mins and I was able to feed bubs in an empty room next door afterwards.

I wish I had started earlier as my baby was just over 4 months when I enrolled and then immediately had a growth spurt and I found I had a lot less surplus milk.

[ClareC]

I've called and left a message.

[Fuschia]

I donated until I went back to work

But I will up my expressing and freeze some extra for the bank if they really are so short

Those who are worried about the practicalities, might be worth calling to see if they can tSke your blood at home

It is such a worthwhile thing to do

Even an ounce is enough tO benefit the tiny babies who might take just 5ml at a time

It's really hard for many mothers of Prem babies to establish and maintain their supply ESP if they don't live near to kings and have to travel into London just to see their baby

[anna_r]

I rang them a while ago as I express at work and my daughter doesn't even end up drinking it as she refuses all other methods of drinking other than breast (all bottles, cup, spoon, syringe) however since my baby at the time was older than 6 months they wouldnt take it so I end up throwing it away :( such a waste. I pump to keep up supply as i work part time and feed her more frequently on days i dont work and know that my supply dropped rapidly when dropping feeds for number 1.

I pleaded with them but they said the composition is too different to the needs of a newborn. I wish I had done it earlier on, although then I was struggling with the Tongue tie issue for a long time and didn't feel I had any to spare...if we ever go for a third I will definitely do it early on!

[Yak]

ClareC, they were so prompt they sent out a search party on the 4th floor to find me as I had forgotten where to go and was 5 mins late! I was done and dusted in 10 minutes. And they phoned to check a few days before the appt that it was still convenient for me. Hopefully you will have a similarly smooth experience.

[ClareC]

I hope so..... I will mention to them the problem, baby is easy but toddler does not take kindly to being stuck in a buggy stationary! Scans for number 2 were a nightmare, my partner generally didn't get to see much of the scan since the 4 hour waits meant one extremely fed up toddler and two very stressed out parents!

Fingers crossed I can organise an appointment when my daughter is at nursery! I've only recently had baby 2 by c section, shame they can't use the blood results from then, although I realise this wouldn't be possible.

[Fuschia]

Right, I am off to express and start donating again. I got onto their list a while back, they did say they would still accept from me post 6m. I did donate quite a lot in Jan and feb when littlest baby finally dwitched from ebm to actual bf

[Fuschia]

They come to your house to get the milk and suPply all the bottles for storage, btw

[The Nappy Lady]

Hi Clare,

When I was a donor the actual milk bank team, or Claire Kevdis (can't recall) took the blood & it was pretty efficient. Maybe phone & ask - they are very welcoming.

Will depend how old your youngest child is too.

Can't believe they are down to ten donors - please, please help if you can ladies.

[ClareC]

Toddler 17mths and baby 7 weeks!

Happy to do it, just waiting for a call back :-)

[Lue Lue]

I know this is an old thread by now, but just wanted to say I'm so grateful for Kings milk donors!

My daughter was born 7 weeks prematurely and had donors milk during her first weeks in life until I managed establishing breastfeeding. She's now a strong healthy little girl!

THANK YOU! :)

[Fuschia]

That's lovely to hear! Maybe she had some of mine.

Hopefully this will motivate new mums to donate

[The Nappy Lady]

Lue Lue, thank you so much for posting, it is so good to hear from parents & babies who have benefitted directly. I'm so glad your little girl is now strong & healthy despite her early arrival.

[Fuschia]

Just bumping this thread, reminded because I got a christmas card and a badge today from the milk bank.

If you have a young baby please think about donating - all it involves is a visit to kings for blood tests - after that they supply the bottles and collect the milk from you.

Even small quantities are valuable - a very Prem bSby may only take 5ml per feed. Donor Breast milk really improves outcomes for these babies.