Milk banks?

[cheezelkat]

In some other forums based overseas, there is mentions of milk banks that take donated breast milk. Is there any such thing in Australia? :confused:

[Little Gorilla]

Yes, there was a thread about one on here a while ago - it was going too (or may have already opened) on the Gold Coast.
Sorry, I can't find it when I search.

[Funkychicken]

I asked about this a few times during my first preganacy as we have always kept milk banks for horses wherever I have worked. One property I worked on actually WAS the milk bank for the district. Every mare was milked of about 600 mls post birth to be frozen for later use.
Apparently in humans though, the risks of infectious diseases etc... are too great. This is only what I was told by a few different midwives. If it is an option overseas, then I guess in Aus it might be one of those mindset things. Not a familiar notion, so maybe a bit difficult for the average person to get their head around whereas if you live in a country that routinely practices it, you probably wouldn't question it.:)

[cheezelkat]

Thanks, I googled one on the gold coast now.

Sadly it's too late for me to donate :crying: but next baby for sure. I think they are a wonderful idea, it's a shame there isn't more.

It's strange about the mindset - all donors are tested for diseases before donating and they pasteurise the milk to kill bacteria. I wonder what the pasteurisation does to the milk though??

[Funkychicken]

I guess most people wouldn't have much of a problem being a donor but may think twice when asked "Would you feed your baby donated milk?"
In fact I'm sure there was a thread on this topic a while ago. Anyone remember where it is?
oohhh... I've found one but I am sure there is another one as well....

http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/showthread.php?t=17770 (http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/showthread.php?t=17770)

and another.....

http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/showthread.php?t=14749 (http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/showthread.php?t=14749)

[Rhoxie]

Last I heard they were starting one in Perth. There is a HUGE demand for human breast milk.. It is used for premmies and special needs babies as they do alot better on human milk than they do on artificial milk. :thumbsup: