Recently, we published a story about Governor Kate Brown putting into place the framework to disallow price gouging for baby formula products. In Corvallis, things are still fine with all of the major grocery chains stocked up, and according to a Reddit post, the local Goodwill has a supply of Similac formula powder on hand as well. However, the shortage of this very necessary product is beginning to hit Oregonians, and the Corvallis area situation might change at any time.
Some parents are turning to donated human breast milk as a solution. According to a report from KEZI, this can be tricky as well – especially in terms of where you obtain the milk.
KEZI spoke with Jana Langeliers, the milk drop coordinator for PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center in Springfield, where they have between “six and 10 donors every other week.” The center sends all donated milk to be tested before sending it into the mouths of children.
According to Langeliers, you need to be careful where you get milk, because there are things a lactating person shouldn’t do – like drinking alcohol, smoking, or taking certain medications.
If you look on places like Craigslist, you will see that people are selling their milk locally. You may also know someone who knows someone who will give you extra milk if their child cannot use it all.
Kelly Sibley of the Oregon Health Authority wants to dissuade people from using these options if they don’t know the parents well, because there have been times when they’ve found the milk to be diluted or contaminated. Sibley says to “really do some screening” before using donated milks that have not been handled in a professional environment.
“The safest way is to donate that milk to a milk bank, so the milk bank can process it and screen the donors to make sure they don’t have a disease such as HIV, HTLV, hepatitis B and C, and syphilis,” Sibley said to KEZI.
For people who are lactating and would like to help others, Sibley recommends they sign up through the nonprofit Northwest Mothers Milk Bank.
Locally, Samaritan Health Services offers a milk donation program as well. If you want to donate, call 541-768-5059 to set up a blood test – free of charge. The dropoff depot will provide all of the supplies you need to donate.
By Sally K Lehman
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