Donating breastmilk (150 ounces to the NICU)

I donated my first box of breast milk to the New York Milk Bank and, in today’s video, I’m sharing a behind-the-scenes look at the entire process! Visit www.nymilkbank... if you’re in New York to learn more! Given all that’s been going on with the baby formula shortage, I couldn’t be more excited that I had the chance to do this in my life, and I’m ready to share the entire process with you.
CHAPTERS
00:00-00:54 I donated 150 ounces of milk!
00:55-02:21 my oversupply
02:22-02:30 my plan for when I stop nursing
02:31-03:13 donating your milk
03:14-05:10 the screening and approval process
05:11-05:35 packing my milk
05:36-06:23 donating the milk
06:24-07:24 after you donate
Before we dive into how to donate your breast milk, I think it’s important to mention that I honestly don’t know what is considered an “oversupply” of breast milk. I don’t know what a “typical” person produces in a day. I do, however, know that Milo eats four times a day and takes about 32 ounces a day. I also pump one time before bed to relieve the pressure before going to sleep for the night…so I produce about 5 feeds worth of milk a day for a baby that’s only eating 4.
There was also a time when I would pump in the middle of the night, so that helped me build up a freezer stash. I store the pumped milk in my fridge and then move it to my freezer if it hasn’t been consumed by the 4th day. I’ve shared a few shots of how full my fridge/freezer are on social media.
I made the decision to donate the excess milk that I have because I know that, when I stop nursing Milo, I’ll use whatever we have left in the freezer, but at that time, I will be okay not using breast milk anymore. I also believe that you can donate directly to families in need in your own community without going through any screening processes. While the New York Milk Bank will pasteurize any milk donated, I think it’s safe to donate directly to a mother and baby that are in need.
Wondering how you can donate breast milk, too? The process of donating is actually fairly easy. I started with a quick Google search and up popped the New York Milk Bank! I sent them an email saying I was interested in becoming a donor. From there, we hopped on a quick five-minute phone screening. They asked questions about my health and the health of my baby, as well as questions about my pumping habits and milk storage methods.
I passed this section and, from there, she invited me to fill out an online form that was a more in-depth version of our phone call. Once approved, I went to get blood drawn at Quest Diagnostics. This entire process was paid for by the New York Milk Bank.
Once my results came back and we knew I was in alignment with their qualifications, the final step in the process was receiving the box to pack and ship everything off. The box came with details directions about how to pack your breast milk safely in their freezer box, and then I scheduled a FedEx express pickup for the same day.
I quickly received an email from New York Milk Bank detailing how many ounces they counted and how many bottles of milk that equated to. It was so rewarding knowing that they received my donation and that I was able to help many sweet babies. I plan to continue donating my excess milk, especially during this scary time with the formula shortage. Families looking for milk donations can visit the NY Milk Bank’s website and apply to get some milk! Since milk can only last for 4 months in the freezer, it’s likely that some of my milk will go to waste if I don’t donate it. All the more reason to continue doing so!
I hope this video inspires you to possibly donate your excess breast milk to a family in need! If you have questions around donating breast milk, drop them in the comments below!
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Thank you so much for watching! I hope you subscribe to my channel for more videos.

[@luciebfink]

Update: after learning more, I believe it's not considered 'safe' to donate directly to others without your milk first going through a screening process/being pasteurized. The pasteurization does diminish some nutrients but the immune properties remain intact!!!

[@Fortheloveoffood582]

I make breast milk lotions and rash creams for diaper rashes. And all sorts of rashes. My 4 year old had a molluescum contagion rash for months and it was the only thing that helped. Also apparently expired breast milk can be used on skin too.

[@luciebfink]

@@Fortheloveoffood582 so smart!!!! Thank you for sharing ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@passiveaggressive6175]

With the current shortage of baby formula in the US your donation could not come at a better time. Thank you so much❤️🙏🏾

[@camilled8234]

My baby has a "milk sister". I don't produce enough milk for him and my friend has an oversupply. She gave me some of her stash and donate the rest to the milk bank. Especially right now with the formula shortage I am so thankful for her. When you donate directly to someone there's a risk because of STDs, HIV and others. You have to know the person and if they're "safe".

[@heloisebrunet330]

Hi Lucie, thank you for this amazing vid, bringing to light the milk donation process is crucial for so many babies and families!! You are so empowering ! Love to you and congratulations to You, Mickael and Milo for your successful nursing !

[@nancyswaine2220]

Love your openness about the most basic gift beside life...you are so important for generations of women to come..feeding your baby is hard...loving your baby even harder...so you threw light on something most women don't even try. Love you Luci !

[@luciebfink]

thank you so much Nancy!!!!

[@ASMRKay_]

Frozen milk is good in the freezer for 6 months ideally, but can be up to 12 months.

[@laurenl.3735]

Thank you for your time sharing your life with people. I myself am so grateful for wonderful people like you, you are SO inspiring and really just don’t even have the words but just know you really make a huge impact in a million ways and it’s really just because you are a beautiful soul! Much love to you and your family and god bless

[@luciebfink]

Wowwww😍😍😍😍😭 this is so kind!

[@Ishahahsi]

I don’t have kids but many of my friends do and there is such shortage of formula. This makes me soo happy! I love that your channel is all about sustainable living, and introducing us to concepts like these. I wasn’t aware of this, but TIL.

[@rhall1017]

You are very much an Angel. God Bless you. (& Milo as well for sharing his supply).

[@JudyCZ]

3:49 There was an epidemic of the "mad cow disease" back then in Europe which can lead to people having the Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, that's why they asked. I get the same exact question when I go donate blood.

[@Gabrielle.Steele]

I’m not sure what google/government doctors say if it’s safe to donate just to friends. But what I have heard form some people is it’s not that safe…. Just because we don’t know what these other moms go through. What do they eat what do they drink what kind of medications they take stuff like that. For if you donate it they typically ask you questions and test things. If you’re desperate then yeah getting breastmilk from friends would be greets but idk if it’s “technically safe”.

[@luciebfink]

Yes - the pathogens!!

[@emmelineellen]

I don't think it's safe to just donate your milk to anyone in need if it isn't through something like a milk bank. All those questions you were asked and the blood tests were to confirm you don't have any blood borne viruses or other infections that could spread to a baby - you can't know necessarily if you or anyone else has these infections without being tested and therefore your milk might be contaminated or dangerous for a newborn baby.

[@luciebfink]

Yesss thank you! Potential pathogens!

[@passiveaggressive6175]

Yep- not safe whatsoever. You just don’t know what other women are experiencing pre and post birth.

[@mariyamarkina8089]

As someone else said, I had a “milk sister” when I was a baby, too. If you know a person (a friend) and you know they don’t have hepatitis or HIV it is perfectly safe to take their milk. I’m sure the only reason these banks pasteurize human milk is to avoid being sued just in case. I am curious what part of Europe and what time frame it was they asked about 🤔 (radiation related?)

[@alexisyates28]

I Believe it is mad cow disease related, from the 90’s from memory

[@jj-if6it]

@@alexisyates28 Yes it also prevented a lot of British people from becoming blood donors

[@Erin-fm1fs]

Great Job!! This is an incredible thing you did!

[@charlescayton8901]

Thank you for your video Lucy amazing day I think it's sweet that you like to help others love what you do keep up the good work 😎🤍

[@Saltysarah32]

Wow! That’s amazing!

[@deannnicole2877]

The process sounds the same for here in Iowa to apply. The questions they ask sound like the same ones that are asked if you donate blood for the needle pricks, etc.

[@deannnicole2877]

Iowa has a 200 ounce minimum.

[@varshaamaheshkumar1441]

I never knew that you can donate breast milk

[@randie5436]

I just saw you on CNN. Well done! 🎉

[@riki1513]

Hello. How are you today after gallbladera surgery are you allowed to eat anything but gluten? Did you have a problem with acid reflux? Do you use any supplements? I washed gallblader four years ago and now I have acid reflux :(

[@nikan6872]

I wish I could get donor milk for my little one. My supply tanked at three weeks post partum. Despite all I did to keep it going, I just wasn't able to produce. I can't afford to buy it but I tried to get donor milk with zero success.

[@jj-if6it]

It's interesting, my friend didn't even bother to try breastfeeding and went straight to formula 😕

[@priscillabest9202]

Did you only use one kind of pump for pumping all your milk

[@katiehoffman15]

Wait, is your full name Lucinda?!

[@sudhayogeshwar1955]

Good work didi ❤️ from india❤️👍🙏

[@motylekmotylek4662]

Theese "strange" questions are for them to define if you are in risk for HIV.... In that case, you wouldn't probably be able donating or have to go on more tests... Not sure

[@luciebfink]

yes!!

[@wristkiss]

The questions about living in Europe were to screen for Mad Cow disease, I believe

[@AshesArisen]

Hi! I'm so glad I found your video. I am a 21 y/o female, and seeing all the news about the formula shortages everywhere, I've recently decided to attempt to induce lactation, but I don't have the money to go through any hormone treatments,(have never been pregnant) and was curious if you or anyone in the comments might have input on the effectiveness of using solely using a breast pump to induce lactation? My personal care doctor had never heard anything about it before, and was not any help on the subject, unfortunately enough, and I haven't been very successful in my own searches for a definitive answer. I've already ordered a breast pump and plan to start regular routines of using the pump for stimulation, increasing pump time and frequency further along, but I want to try to find someone else who may have input from their own experiences with this situation.

[@luciebfink]

This so very kind but I’ve never heard of it! I think you have to be pregnant to lactate!

[@olivia_leigh1]

@@luciebfink you actually don’t have to be pregnant to lactate! inducing lactation is very real and effective :)

[@TheLokoki]

Inducing milk supply is possible for every woman :) Regularity is the key !

[@SAM-129]

I knew of an adoptive mother inducing lactation with her adoptive son! So it is definitely possible, so maybe mimic a child's needs, like using the pump multiple times a day

[@offshoredrillingofoil5749]

👍

[@nightbookfish2585]

Nice number one beautiful

[@armandoaranda639]

Do you like country music? Do you want kids? Do you only speak and understand English?

[@MsBlackfeet]

It's not safe do to std like HIV hep b hep c syphilis etc that's why but not recommend doing that

[@doronkermanian5805]

I'll donate my breast milk when the doctors donate their time for surgeries

[@Sabouma28]

???