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Thursday, December 21, 2006

Finally asking for help...Kaitlyn needs milk!



Hello,

As many of you know, we've been relying on donated breast milk for the last many months, many of Kaitlyn's donors have just heard of our story.... I've never had to ask...

Well, it's come to the point (after a horrible day of vomiting about 8 times today) that I've come to realize that I'm dangerously low on breast milk and need more once again.

Kailtyn takes 36 ounces a day, and at least recently we've been able to successful y(except for the last few days) transition to 50% breast milk and 50% Compleat (which is a liquid real food formula). I've looked into getting milk from the breast milk bank, but at $3/ounce (and my insurance won't cover it), we'd go broke in a hurry.

So, here's my plea...are you a pumping mama, who is drug free and healthy and have an excess of milk that you would like to donate to Kailtyn? We really need a lot, and I know there are those of you out there who have excess (I know I thought I did at one point)...

I'll pay for shipping of course (which isn't cheap).

Remember how much milk I had (picture above)? I pumped for 8 months, never figuring that Kaitlyn would have trouble eating and taking formula, hind-sight is 20-20, right? I thought I had plenty to be able to give her a combination of breast milk and formula until she was a year adjusted (1/4/07). BUT, she's not handling formula very well.

Anyway, thank you should you have extra. You can comment with your contact info on my blog, or you can email me. My email address is on my home page: www.alizard.com

13 comments:

Emily said...

First off I know that our milkbank in town will give everyone, even those who can't afford it, all the breastmilk they need (if they have a written prescription from the doctor). With the issues Kaitlyn has with formula she should easily qualify. If the milkbank closest to you does not feel the same way, check out http://milkshare.birthingforlife.com/

Kristin said...

Liz, I wish I could help you in some fashion. I could not breastfeed either of my girls due to having reduction surgery when I was 19 which left the milk ducts detached and I desperately tried pumping with both and got nothing... so I have posted both to Presleigh's blog and to my personal one in hopes that someone that doesn't read here will be able to help.

I also wanna say Merry Christmas to all of you, I hope Santa is good to Miss K (and to you and Brian too!).

Allison said...

Liz,

I have contacted a friend in CA who has a new born to see if she has some that she can donate. Hopefully that will work. Happy holidays to your family! Allison

Anonymous said...

Liz, I posted your request on a forum that I am a part of, hopefully someone who can donate will read it. I also looked at babycenter.com to see if they had any info. They had this article http://boards.babycenter.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?nav=messages&msg=23555.1&sr=y&webtag=bcus1418523 and on it was a link led to this site http://www.breastmilkproject.org/ I know it's international, but maybe they can help you too.

good luck, you're in our thoughts and prayers, as always. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

-T

Anonymous said...

Liz I have been following your blog for sometime and though I can not help(have not pumped in 6 year) I posted your message on the breast feeding board at parents.com I have just been reading there a few ladies were commenting on how much excess they have. Hope that you are able to get some BM for Kaitlyn

Anonymous said...

oh my, it's been a while since I've visited. Kaitlyn is making great progress. I bet you must by physically and emotionally exhausted. I wish I could help with the breast milk. I will at least pass along your plea.

Big hugs and have a wonderful holiday.
:) Jodi from PROM

Anonymous said...

Liz!

I have a stash that I can't give my former preemie, who now has food allergies and is allergic to the milk and soy I consumed while pumping. I had JUST consulted with our lactation consultant from the NICU last week, and she told me there is sadly no milk bank on the east coast. I had just THOUGHT of asking you if you wanted it, and was wondering if that would be too weird to hear from a total stranger!

It isn't much (i'll go check today how much, maybe three two-gallon ziplocks full of the little NICU milk collection bottles), but it is YOURS!!!

I'll send you my contact info in an email!
Anna S.

Anonymous said...

Liz,

I sent you a more detailed email, but I would like to help, if you need milk. I can pump and freeze and send it to you pretty easily, I think. Just let me know!

Michelle

Anonymous said...

I would love to help. I have a 21 mo. old son who still nurses a few times a day. I haven't pumped in a loooooong time, but I'd be willing to help out. I'm in WA state. Is that too far? My only other problem is that I'm stretched for cash myself, so I might need some storage bags. I have a pump because I am a wellness consultant and I demonstrate it and help women having problems with breastfeeding. Email me back if you would like the milk. bewellconsultations@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Hi Liz,

I hate that I can't help!! Poor Kaitlyn. And I'm sorry -- this must be stressing you out!

I stopped pumping about 4 months ago, BUT I have a TON of storage bags that I'd love to donate. I'd be very, very happy to send them to Jenn, if you haven't sent her any yet!!

Anonymous said...

I stopped pumping about 6 months ago for my now 18 month old son, but will try to start pumping again to see if I can pump some for you. I wish i would have heard about you earlier, for the first year, I supplement pumped for 2 friends, and would have gladly pumped for you as well, had I had any idea. I am going to see what I can do. How does one ship to you? I live in tampa, florida. dry ice?
Good luck to you, god bless you and your beautiful daughter and family.

liz.mccarthy said...

Hi Emily (I don't have your email address, you can email me directly if you want: liz@alizard.com

I'm trying to do my best to find osme local donors to save on shipping costs (as it has been really, really expsenvie to overnight mail). I think I may have found enough local donors (at least for the current time). So, please, no need for you to relactate for us! Thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart for yoru incredible offer to do so....and for all of the moms who have so generously offered milk...

chocolana said...

Hello,
I just came across your blog. Is your daughter still in need of breastmilk? I have a 6 month old son and can probably pump about 4 extra oz. a day. I don't know how to ship frozen milk, but it shouldn't be too difficult, right? I live in LA. Please contact me if you are interested; I'll be happy to help in any way I can.