One month old today. I can't believe we've made it. I mean, obviously "making it" is a given, otherwise CPS would be banging down our doors, but I'm just in shock that I'm (we're) doing it. I haven't broken them (yet).
I've never been so happy in my entire life. How can I go from being so depressed to being so happy? I didn't know it would be possible.
Poor Gabby is still fighting her rash. She is debating having her tubes tied or a hysterectomy (!!!) because getting your period makes it worse, she says. OMG, poor poor girl. I feel so bad that she got it, it's such a rare thing to get - of course it would happen to us.
Has anyone used Human Milk 4 Human Babies? I put up a request on the local chapter and got a few offers which is AWESOME but now I'm starting to regret it. L and even Gabby are telling me you don't really know the women donating, not that they'd do anything malicious, but they might not know they have an infection, or they might smoke pot, not thinking it's a big deal. I don't know. I really want to use breast milk but I feel like maybe I shouldn't have asked.
I know they have an "informed consent" thing but I feel like the only thing that would make me feel better would be to see their medical records and I think that's going a bit too far. I don't know, ugh...I wish I hadn't asked now.
I'm exhausted today! Can't wait to give them their late night feeding and go to bed!
=) Happy one month birthday baby girls!!
ReplyDeleteWe've used HM4HB for over 2 years with my son. We've had milk donated from over 30 women (not all of them we conntected with through HM4HB though). Here's been my experience for what it's worth - these are women who are feeding their own babies this milk. They've all been (to my knoweldge, of course) up front and honest about what (if anything) they're taking, from alcohol, to cigarettes, to prescription meds, to non-prescribed substances. We then decide whether or not those are things we're comfortable with. They have no reason to lie as it's not like there's money involved. Baby E (now 2.5yo E) is happy and thriving. He's had no formula since he was 3mon old thanks to all those amazing women. I also didn't find any (real, credible, non-inflamatory) research that could say there were any risks involved. Even our pediatrician eventually came on-board when she saw how well E was doing with it. I get it's not for everyone. And, there have been a few donors we've decided not to become involved with because we weren't comfortable (mostly b/c of smoking). Do what your gut tells you (whatever that may be). But, then again, that's my best overall parenting advice, too. Please feel free to email me if you have any other questions :)
ReplyDeleteYeah 1 month!
ReplyDeleteOkay, now as far as for the accepting of donated milk. I don't know how long ago you started following my blog but after my daughter died last April I started pumping all of my milk and donated it for 4 months. When my milk first came in I donated it to a lady, who a friend found on Craiglist, who had adopted a baby and wanted to feed him breastmilk. I then started donating to the Mothers Milk Bank out of Denver, CO. They had very strict guidelines for donating. I could not donate if I was on any medications. Some medications had waiting periods of 24 hours, while others had days to months, until you could donated your milk again. I know it is a huge on your honor and trust thing, but I followed it. Plus, these are babies we are talking about. The milk bank was also a lot stricter than the local lady I donated milk to. The milk bank was strict because a lot of that milk was given to fragile nicu babies whereas older, healthier babies can handle some medications in your body that can get into the milk. I guess you just have to be trusting. I think of it this way. If if you find someone to donate who has a living baby already-which most people do-they are also giving their baby that same milk. If you find someone like me who lost her baby, but whose milk came in and wants to donate it, that pumping breastmilk is time consuming and why would you put the time into doing it if you weren't going to follow the rules as well. Just my thoughts. The lady on craiglist said she would pay for my milk but I gave it to her for free. I know if you buy milk from the milk bank I donated to, it is quite spendy. When I stopped donating and learned of exactly how much I donated and learned where all the milk went to and how many babies it helped, it was such a wonderful feeling knowing my daughters milk helped so many. Anyway, hope that helps.
I'm so glad everything is going great for you! As far as the milk thing. I can totally understand the trepidation with accepting milk informally. I'm not sure if I would but let me tell you what. I talked to my LC about donating my extra milk that I had pumped when I was in the NICU. She told me that out of all the years shes done what she does shes had a handful of people actually end up donating their milk formally. The amount of work and information about your pumped milk is simply ridiculous. They wouldnt even accept milk if I had taken tylenol. How in the hell am I supposed to know what milk had been from when I took tylenol? They wouldnt take it if I couldnt. I couldve easily lied (which perhaps some even do) but obviously I didnt. I wanted a baby to have the extra milk since we werent going to use it. 4 months of pumped milk went in the trash. My baby simply just couldnt have it and had to be on a special formula for her GI issues. And expressing milk takes A LOT of work. 2-3 hours around the clock to keep your supply up! I'd imagine if someone were to even pump for long periods of time and actually have a stash they care for their baby enough to pump for them and are most likely responsible adults. Obviously not always but I'd bet that they are with the amount of dedication it takes. I've pumped for 8 months of having kids. 4 months with my first and then now another 4 months this time.
ReplyDeleteIf I were in your position and it was an informal donation I would talk to the lady who was to donate and ask to either come to her house and sit and get to know her for a bit (that way you could see the environment she lives in) or ask to go out to lunch or something. I see the hesitation though and i'm not sure my hubby would ever be on board with that. Do your research. Go with your gut. But please dont put pressure on yourself or feel guilty if you dont feel comfortable with it. Those girls will be smart and completely healthy no matter how you feed them! :) Glad your rainbows are there with you. You deserve it girl!
Happy one month birthday!
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