looking to donate-

Hi Margaret,

You are so lovely to write such a thorough profile! I am new to this message board today and don't know much about the issues/risks so have sent a note to my pediatrician to ask. I am an adoptive mom of a 7-week old relocating to the greater Chicago area. I tried to induce lactation since March without much success. I am feeding our baby with a supplemental nurser and am very saddened by my inability to produce milk. I would love to work something out with you if your milk is still available as long as my pediatrician has no concerns--you sound very healthy and very careful. Your little guy is adorable!

Thank you!
Laura
(lsmalone@mindspring.com)

Hi! I'm Margaret

I am a non smoker, and don't do any drugs. I do drink caffeine though (like 1-2 diet cokes a day) and am on an inhaler for asthma, however i've only used it 2x post partum. Doc said it was OK for breast feeding and that I didn't have to pump and dump or anything after using it. I rarely drink and when I do its a glass of wine which is out of my system by the time I usually pump. I eat mostly (i'd say 80%) Organic foods (almost always organic dairy and meat only), and keep loose Kosher- no shellfish, pork or cheeseburgers but when i'm out of the house I will rarely mix poultry and dairy if I'm at my mother's house and she's being a pain in the rear about it (she's not Jewish so she doesn't "get" it . Almost all food at home is Kosher but I occasionally eat out or at my parent's house who don't keep it.

I'd be willing to donate 30-40 oz now if you're fine with me having caffeine and the inhaler. Or we could work something out-where as soon as i've got 30-40 oz of non inhaler milk for sure- we can plan something in advance. (I haven't marked any bags because I wasn't aware of the opportunities to donate) If you are not comfortable with me using the inhaler, I can mark the bags when I use it and not give you those. Chances are there's nothing in the pumped milk anyways (caffeine or inhaler wise) because I pump in the early morning (4-5 am) and the only times i've used it were in the day/early evening. I'd also be willing to stop eating poultry and dairy together if this is important and someone would want a repeating donation.

i'm cutting out all but one cup of tea a day because I want to donate and want to make myself more available to help mamas. I'd be willing to donate repeatedly but I'd have to go a month/month 1/2 between donations because while I produce extra, I don't produce THAT much extra. However, I would consider taking supplements (fenugreek et al) to up my supply a bit so I can either give you more or do it a BIT more often.

My little guy is 3 months and change. :-)

I have a clean STD test from when I was pregnant because I needed one to have a water birth (didn't happen but thats another story for another forum...). I have only ever had one partner- my husband.

I'm in the West suburbs, but I am in Oak park every saturday during the summer and every saturday AND sunday fall through the end of spring. I am also a stay at home mom so I could meet you during the days or evenings.

Hope I can help someone out!!!

Margaret Roth