Mom Business Adventures 101: Selling Boob Milk on the Black Market

If I was a cow, I would be the sought after cash cow on the farm.  I have good birthing hips and I produce milk in abundance. 

Now some mom’s are reading this post and are thinking shiiit, I wish I had your problem.  Other people are thinking, gross, I think I’ll stop reading now. 

If I still have you, let me tell you my story as an over achieving milk Mama.  

Wanting to have enough milk when I returned to work I pumped like crazy during my way too short 12 weeks of maternity leave. As a result, my body thought that I was nursing twins and started working double over time.   Thus creating a well-stocked freezer containing my breast milk stash.

After making the decision to stay at home with Madeline and only work part-time the stash of liquid gold wasn’t needed.   Knowing that money would be tight on one income, I was excited to see a Good Morning America report on black market breast milk.

Dang, my ship just come in.   People were paying $1.00-$2.50 per ounce!  I quickly did the math in my head and decided that I could bring in at least $50 a week.    

It is basic economics at work.  Supply and demand.  I certainly had the supply, now I just needed the demand.

I immediately created a specific email address to conduct business and was anxious for my first sale.  Boy was I disappointed when the only person interested in my milk was a skivvy man.   Gross! 

Thinking I could help out a friend who wasn’t producing enough for her son, I offered her the stash.   Lord knows what she thought of me.  I guess it is a good thing we are close friends.   

After graciously declining my offer she suggested that I donate my milk.   After a little research I found Helping Hands Milk Bank 

I filled out half the application online and then stopped.  I realized that I would have to get paper work signed by my doctor, Madeline’s pediatrician and have blood work drawn and DNA samples taken.

Too much work for this mama.

After a phone call from Helping Hands and a few answered questions I realized that the process was much simpler that I had expected.    The company sent all the necessary paperwork, set up an appointment to have blood drawn in my home (this can also be done at your place of work or another location of your choice) and supplied all of the necessary materials. 

Donating your milk is super easy.  Helping Hands sends you a cooler and packaging label, you fill the cooler, phone UPS to schedule a pick up time and UPS picks the cooler up from your front door.  You don’t even need to leave the house!

In the end I donated four coolers of milk for a grand total of over 300 ounces.  The best part is that the milk is used to create a formula for premature babies.  It is an amazing feeling to know that my excess milk can be used to help premature babies survive. As an added bonus, I received a check for $300 to cover the cost of my breast pump from Helping Hands!   

I know some people may find the thought of donating breast milk to be gross but hopefully in the future it will regarded in the same way as someone donating blood at the Red Cross.   The basic idea is the same and in the end lives may be saved.

I encourage all nursing moms who have a milk abundance to look into the program.   It is well worth your time and effort.

Get Supported! The art of breastfeeding

Before giving birth I made a decision that I would breastfeed our baby.   I felt that it was important to breastfeed our child due to all of the healthy benefits for the baby.  

I first want to state that what to feed your infant is your personal decision.  You may choose to breastfeed, you may not.   I was not a breastfeed baby and I like to think that I turned out ok.  

With that said, if you have the ability and the interest to breastfeed kudos to you!

One of the three reasons why we decided to hire a doula were for help with achieving a natural childbirth, help with nursing and advice with cloth diapering. 

I have to say that our doula was the best advocate, supporter and assistant with helping me to be successful with nursing our daughter.  She came to our house multiple times after Madeline was born to assist with getting Madeline to latch properly and was also on call via phone 24 hours a day.   

If you haven't already done so, check out my post about doulas What's a Girl to Doula

 

If you don’t hire a doula to come to the house take advantage of nursing groups at your local hospitals.   Most hospitals offer a nursing support group or hotline that you can phone to speak with a lactation consultant. 

Don’t be afraid to ask for help.  Leaving the house to attend a support group may be the last thing you want to do in the first couple of days or weeks that you are home with your little one but trust me, it will be worth the effort.  So pull on the sweats and head out the door!

About two weeks after delivering Madeline I was still struggling with her latching.  She would often try to “help” by placing her hands in her mouth, falling asleep, wiggling, sinking down into the Boppy…so during a tearful nursing session I told Jason that I just wasn’t sure I could do it. 

My amazing husband headed out the door with a 20% off Babies R Us coupon to return with a My Breast Friend Nursing Pillow.  It is honestly the best invention and totally worth the money.   So ladies, add a My Breast Friend Nursing pillow to your baby registry.  You won’t be disappointed.

There is so much that I could write about nursing but I think the important thing to note are the benefits to you and the baby.   Breast milk is the perfect food for your little one.   It contains all of the needed nutrition for your baby and also contains disease-fighting elements to protect your infant from illnesses.  

In addition, studies have shown that breastfed babies have lower risks for allergies, SIDS, may lower a child’s risk of becoming obese, may increase a child’s IQ and helps to build an emotional connection between you and your baby.  

One of the best benefits of breastfeeding for you is the fact that it will help you get your pre baby body back.  You can burn up to 500 extra calories a day breastfeeding.  So in the early days when you feel like it is an accomplishment to get a shower and brush your teeth, know that you are also burning off those pregnancy love handles in the process. 

Also, know that nursing can be painful in the beginning unrelated to the appropriateness of your technique.  I felt like I was doing something wrong when my toes curled every time Madeline latched.    I wish someone had told me that the pain would subside as my body got use to the change and hormones were back to normal levels.  In the mean time, stock up on Lansinoh Lanolin ladies.   It is amazing!   

And finally don’t give up! Phone friends and family members who have nursed for encouragement and support.  Also take advantage of breastfeeding support groups in your area.   It doesn’t have to be at the hospital or birthing center in which you gave birth.  Try lots of groups until you find one that is helpful and provides the support you need.  The best nursing group that I attended was at the hospital in which my sister in law gave birth to my nephew. 

Below is a list of suggested items for breastfeeding.   Good luck!

*Nursing bras, tank tops and sleeping bras

*Nursing stool

*My Breastfriend Nursing Pillow

*Bamboobies reusable nursing pads –these things are AMAZING and so worth every penny!

*Breast pump- I love my Medela Pump in Style but have heard good things about other pumps.  Do some research and find the pump that will work best for you. 

Get MidWISE! Midwives vs. OBGYNs

At 36 weeks Jason and I decided to switch from the OBGYN practice that we used throughout the pregnancy to a practice of midwives.  It was a scary and emotional switch. 

At the time none of my friends or family members had used midwives and the thought made me anxious and a bit scared.   I wanted a positive natural birth but I wasn’t willing to sacrifice my baby’s health and safety to achieve that goal.  

The good news is that you don’t have to sacrifice your baby’s health and safety by choosing to go with midwives vs. a traditional OBGYN office.  

Prior to making the switch I was concerned that if I chose to use a midwife practice I would not receive as quality of care as I would with my OBGYN practice.   I could not have been more wrong. 

At the first meeting with one of the midwives, I was asked to describe my birth plan.   Prior to this, my doctors told me how I would give birth.   I felt more in control with the midwives and also more confident in my abilities to birth this baby!

The appointments at my OBGYN felt like a medical process rather than a natural and normal event.   I was asked to vision and verbalize my ideal birth with the midwives and was asked to describe and discuss any fears I had about giving birth.  These weren’t topics of discussion with my OBGYN and trust me I had some serious fears!

I felt like I was giving birth with my sister or a good friend when working with the midwives.    I know that my experience may not be the same as others and I also don’t want you to think that I am totally against OBGYNs.  I am just pro-midwives J  You will know what is the best decision for you when the time comes.

I have now switched practices for good and will tell anyone who will listen to consider using midwives for the birth of their baby and for routine health visits.   

Midwives have a lower rate of cesarean sections and actually strive to minimize the need for interventions.  They strive to allow women to achieve the birth that they desire rather than what maybe convenient for the doctor.   Midwives can deliver babies in a hospital, birthing center or even within your own home.

In our experience, midwives treated the whole person rather than treating my pregnancy as a medical condition.   When I was in labor the midwife working with us was a calm and reassuring voice. 

If you are thinking about using midwives for the birth of your baby, have no fear!

Below are a few books and links that I found to be helpful when making the switch.  Enjoy!

Books:  Anything by Ina May Gaskin and if you have not already done so, read The Red Tent by Anita Diamant

http://www.midwivesofmaryland.org/

http://marylandmidwives.webs.com/

http://www.specialbeginnings.com/

http://www.stjosephtowson.com/Programs-Services/Centers-of-Excellence/Women-and-Children/Labor-Delivery-Recovery.aspx

http://www.mdmercy.com/womens/obgyn/aboutPhysicians.html

The Gender Game

Finding out the sex of your baby is very exciting; especially for the pregnant mama experiencing the wild pregnancy dreams.    Early in my pregnancy I had a dream that I was driving my car to visit friends from high school.  For those in the Bangor area, you may chuckle to yourself knowing that I was driving to the Trolley Station for breakfast.   

In the dream I knew I was introducing my friends to our baby for the first time.  As I turned around to view my little bundle of joy, I first noticed that the “baby” was not in a car seat but a teenage girl lying across the back seat of the car.  

My immediate thought was, “dang kids grow fast” followed by me stating aloud, “Claudette, are you hungry”.   After waking from the dream I immediately thought that Jason and I really needed to hone in on a girl name for our baby.  

Claudette was not a name we discussed for a girl but I felt like Claudette Hammond really didn’t have that magical ring I was searching for.

I then wondered if my dream held any truth.  Was I really pregnant with a girl?

During my pregnancy I had so many people tell me that I was pregnant with a boy because I was “glowing”.  Really?  Do women who are pregnant with boys really glow? Do women who are pregnant with girls really look that terrible? 

Maybe I did look terrible and they were just being nice…

Either way I thought I would share my thoughts on waiting until delivery day to find out the sex of your baby.   

I really wanted the surprise in the delivery room. I had this vision in my head of how everything would go, excitement, surprise, joy.  I really just felt that finding out the sex would make the birth anticlimactic.  

I also thought I would need motivation to birth our baby and finding out the sex of the baby would be just the motivation I needed.   But you really don’t need motivation to birth your baby, who knew? 

At this point I now know that the birth of our baby would be exciting either way but for us it made the day perfect. 

I requested in our birth plan for Jason to announce the sex of our baby before anyone else.    When I think of the day Madeline was born I immediately hear Jason’s voice saying, “it’s a girl…right?” and all of the beautiful emotions tied to that moment.  

Two days prior to Madeline’s birth Jason and I went for a walk.  While strolling around the neighborhood we decided that we were having a brown haired, brown eyed, little boy.  We could not have been more wrong which lead to so much more surprise and excitement in the delivery room.

Now moms who find out the sex of their baby prior to birth tell me that the day is just as exciting and memorable.  

So in the end it is your choice.  Don’t succumb to the pressure from family or friends to find out the sex.  It will all happen in due time. 

To all of the parents out there who want to wait until D-day for the surprise, go for it.   It is so worth the wait in the end!