Hi Donna,
I appreciate your response very much. Thanks for taking the time to
respond. I also appreciate that you were kind with your words. I can see
how my post could have made you feel defensive. I apologize to those
involved with milk banking, if your blood pressure went up after reading my
post. I really thought my question was based in truth.
I think it would be helpful to the folks on this list if you (or someone)
could give us a quick (or lengthy) lesson in how all this works. I am a
willing recipient of information and am hopeful that my post was indeed
incorrect.
I received several replies so far from Lactnetters asking me to share
whatever I found out. (I also received 1 similar to yours conveying concern
that I did not have the correct information about milk banking.) It is
clear from the replies, that I am not the only one who is under these
"impressions". I had 3 Lactnetters tell me they donated their milk
privately to a mother, so that it wouldn't go to research. As far as the
validity of the Mennonite woman's story. All I can say is, she told it to
me last Sunday. I almost quoted her word for word. In addition, I was at a
LLL Retreat that same weekend and I had 2 conversations with some small
groups of Leaders where we discussed this very issue. Every single person I
talked to was under the same impression as myself. And a few of them had
done private donations, because of their perception of how the milk banking
system works.
So this begs the question....how did this urban legend get started AND is
there any truth to it? Maybe Valerie can help us with that one. :-)
I've been trying hard to recall from years past, where I got this impression
about milk banking. And I honestly don't know. My impression is that it
isn't financially feasible to run a milk bank without selling the milk for
research. I'm going to thumb through my breastfeeding advocacy books and
see what I find there.
So please if this isn't true, educate us and tell us how to get more of
these started. I'm in Missouri--The closest ones to the women I serve are
Texas and Colorado.
Respectfully,
Nikki Simmons
-----Original Message-----
From: Lactation Information and Discussion
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of M.M.
Sent: Tuesday, October 19, 2004 9:25 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: patenting NOW milk banks
Nikki,
There are a few points that I would like to address in reference
to your post:
1. Milk banks do not pay donors. The Mennonite woman that you
spoke about must have been pumping her milk for a research company. I cannot
imagine a milk bank having the finances to pay donors for their milk. Many
years ago the Delaware bank paid a small stipend, but that has been
discontinued since I can remember. The Delaware bank has been in existence
sine 1947and things have changed a lot over the years.
2. Milk banks often receive requests for milk for research. We
do not provide it if the research is related to developing a human milk
substitute.
3. There is a donor consent that is signed by the donor that
states: "I have voluntarily chosen to donate my milk to the Mothers' Milk
Bank. I understand that I will not be paid for the milk I donate. I am
also aware that my milk will not be sold, but a processing fee will be
charged to the recipient of the milk. Should my milk be unsuitable for
feeding premature or ill infants, it may be used for research purposes."
Every donor signs this consent.
I am concerned that you have implied an incorrect picture of donor milk
banking to the subscribers of Lactnet. Each milk bank that is a member of
The Human Milk Banking Association of North America abides by strong ethical
values. As stated on our website:” The Human Milk Banking Association of
North America (HMBANA) is a multidisciplinary group of health care providers
that promotes, protects, and supports donor milk banking. HMBANA is the only
professional membership association for milk banks in Canada, Mexico and the
United States and as such sets the standards and guidelines for donor milk
banking for those areas." Believe me, Nikki, I can speak for all member
milk banks that we value our donors and the wonderful gift of their milk
that they donate to us. Feel free to make contact with with any milk bank
that is a member of The Human Milk Banking Association of North America for
additional information.
Donna More', RN,BSN,CCRN,IBCLC
Coordinator, Mother's Milk Bank
Christiana Hospital
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