My name is Pam, and I'm a milk-hoarder

[tamesis]

I saw this, and just had to share. I've been pumping and EBF since my daughter was born, and, just like this woman, my stash is sooo precious to me! We dipped in the other day so I could have a few drinks, and I felt so sad taking those few bags out of the freezer! I know that's what it's there for, but it just feels like something I have to covet. Maybe because I was in the hospital shortly after her birth and almost had to FF, I don't know, but i'm obsessed with having as much milk as I can without pumping 24/7!

http://www.bravadodesigns.com/connec...g/milk-hoarder

[HeatherlovesCDs]

LOL! I used to feel the same way and still do to a point. I had a lot. I too was sad to use it and "stingy" with it. I like the security a large freezer stash brings. But, these are my 4th and 5th kids. After tossing out milk with both my first son and my first set of twins, this time I realized I would rather give the milk to someone I know would use it. It doesn't do anyone any good sitting in my freezer if I'm not going to use it. So, I started donating. I've donated about 550 oz. I have basically stopped pumping though. So, now, I pump randomly here and there. I only have around 50-60 oz in my freezer right now. It doesn't feel like enough, but I'm not even using that. I haven't even given my boys bottles in a few months. I don't anticipate using it. At this point, I am planning to keep it for now. My babies are getting older and I feel like I might need it to mix with food or whatever. I'm not sure, but I can't bring myself to give it all away. I want to start pumping again. If I do, I'll start donating again too.

[Little Miss Kate]

I used to have a large stash (+400oz) from pumping when DS was born, but once we got BF really down and we could no longer fit FOOD in our freezer, I donated most of it and continue to do so every 2 months or so. Now I keep ~75 oz as my back up

[vane_gator]

I feel the same way everytime I have to dip into my stash. I have a really small stash though..

[all3darlings]

My newborn son is just about to be 7 weeks old and I already have over 400 oz in the freezer. I've never had to rely on a stash but can't bring myself to dump it out. He is #3 and he is my last. I guess I just kinda feel like I don't want to let go of anything. I never thought about donating......how do you go about doing that? Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks mamas

[TeachinAuntie]

Hugs Mama!

I have about 40 oz for my son! Fortunately he's 14 1/2 months old so if something bad happened and I couldn't nurse him, he could be weaned pretty easily to a substitute & real food.

What I have is old too, pumped before he was 10 months old. I'm holding onto it in case my supply diminished during this pregnancy so I can use it in an SNS to keep him interested in the breast & knowing how to latch. I want to tandem!

[Little Miss Kate]

Originally Posted by all3darlings My newborn son is just about to be 7 weeks old and I already have over 400 oz in the freezer. I've never had to rely on a stash but can't bring myself to dump it out. He is #3 and he is my last. I guess I just kinda feel like I don't want to let go of anything. I never thought about donating......how do you go about doing that? Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks mamas

There are 2 main ways to meet someone in need for mom-to-mom donation. Milkshare is a website divided by state, so you can look and see if there is someone local that is in need. Or if you are willing to ship you can look into that too.
Eats on Feets has many local chapters as well and they are based mostly on Facebook. You can google to see if there is a chapter in your area.

The most important thing about donating is being upfront in what you expect from the recipient mama (ie let them know up front if you would like them to replace the bags that you give them).
For me it has been very rewarding knowing that I am helping another baby get the milk they need.

[uptheleft]

Just an FYI to all of you hoarders....Do yourself a favor, if you havent already, defrost a bag of milk and make sure it smells okay. There are some women who have an excess of an enzyme called lactase, which breaks down the fat in your milk and when frozen over long periods of time, will cause the milk to smell like soap. Its pretty gross and I found this out after having about 200 oz stored away that then had to be tossed. If you find that you have this problem, all you need to do is scald the milk (very high heat until the outer ring has small bubbles) before you store it away.

Good luck!

[charscreations]

Good for you! I cannot seem to make a stash, but I am still BFing at 10 months and counting! Yah!

[laura_mae99]

i work hard to donate my milk... i think i would just cry if something happened and i lost anything that i know was going to a baby i need! but i dont keep it i just donate it... but it still gets to me thinking (( what if while shipping, or in trans. ))