Wierd Question....

HI Amy-
I don't know about the immunity thing, but my sister produced ALOT of milk, too, and she bought those "mother's milk" freezer bags. Basically, it gave her a 3 week supply when she weened her baby so that when her milk dropped off, she could still keep him on the same reduction schedule. She did pump, and whenever she had to take an antibiotic (she got very sick) she was able to give the baby the previously pumped milk.
Hope this helps!
-E. M

I read a study that showed adults got some of the antibody advantage while they were immuno suppressed. It could not hurt to try.

I think it's a good idea to share the breast milk with your older child. Certainly no harm, and I have heard and read research that shows the opposite about immunity -- that the immunity benefits continue well beyond 6 months.

Breast milk doesn't contain a significant amount of anti-bodies. Only the colostrum produced during the first few days after birth provides the immunity boost. Even if you were producing colostrum you would have to have already had your son's cold for it to do any good.

Congrats on the new baby!

> I've heard after 6mths the antibody/immunity benefit diminishes, so I really don't to waste my time.

The immunity benefit of breastfeeding does not diminish at 6 months. For the first 6 months, your baby has is immune to what you are immune to. Then YOUR immunities wear off, but the baby still gets benefits from your breast milk.

If you have extra milk, giving some to the 22 month-old can help with immunity.

Hi Amy -

I have no idea for sure about your question but if it were me, I would absolutely try it. Breast milk does wonders for little people. And an overabundant milk supply - well, that's awesome! =)
Very best,

Hi Amy,

I had a thought when I read about your overabundant supply, and did a search on "Donate breast milk" and there are many organizations- here's one: http://www.breastmilkproject.org/

You may call your local La Leche League for other places near you. And I also looked on Mamapedia, and found many related questions: http://www.mamapedia.com/search?query=donate+breast+milk so not a weird question. :-)

Hope this info. helps, and best of luck to you and your family.

My sister did this just recently, and her 2 yo LOVED it. I say it can't hurt, and will probably help. He liked it in a sippy and cold from the fridge fyi. As for overabundance, I suffer from the opposite, so I am no help there.

Yes yes yes! this is for sure a good idea-just pump small amounts at a time and it won't increase your suply too much.My midwife whom is also a homeopath told me about a remedy for the 2009-10 flu season-Influenzinum-it will also boost help against flu/s-good luck smart mama! years ago I gave my mother Bm when she had cancer!

Breast Milk has lots of vitiamns for your little one, I would give him some. The doctors usually told me to breast feed as much as possible when my kids were sick. they also give Breast milk to sick elderly people.
Also I had sooo much milk and my baby didnt eat very good, I froze as much as possible and good thing I did my milk supply went down about 6 mo and Im not pumping as much, since I used to pump 8-10 a day. I also donated a box of my breast milk to a friend that had twins. You can also donate to the hosiptal to help sick people.
Best of Luck
T.

It's not weird at all--it's smart!!! The World Health Organization recommends two years of breast feeding (at least). And my ped. told me that American Academy of Pediatrics is discussing a change in their recommendations...I think he said it's currently one year and they're talking about recommending two. Yep...it's that good! And no, you do not have to have had the cold yourself to make immunities for it according to the breast-feeding class I took. She said that literally you can be in a room with a sick person, they sneeze, and your breast milk begins to change to give your baby exactly what they need to fight off that cold that they were just moments ago exposed to. Wild and wonderful!!!

At 8 weeks after delivery, I was making a ton too. I simply pumped only when it got uncomfortable and personally didn't experience any rebound. Within a few more weeks my breasts adjusted and I no longer had an over-abundance. Wish I had pumped a bit more to stash it in the freezer. Months down the road I was frustrated to pump and only get 4 oz. between the two! Go figure.

Good luck and wonderful idea, Amy!

NOT a weird question, a great one!
yeah, give him breastmilk!
my mom drank breastmilk donated to her from moms in the community when she was suffering with cancer.
good luck to you and your little one!

When my daughter was born, my son was only 15 months old. He had nursed for 11 months, but when she came along I gave him the extra in a bottle for months (I pumped this). It does have benefits, which is why I did it. It's a great gift to your child! Now that our third is born I really have no time to pump. I wish I could. I think having too much milk is a discomfort that might be worth it. They kids are only this young once, and it seems, from what I read, that breast milk is like a super drink. :) And, if you keep pumping like a champ, you can avoid the discomfort.