302 F. Giles
aware of MacDonald’s need through Facebook call-outs, postings on
friends’ pages and advertising on the specific milk sharing site Human
Milk four Human Babies.^9 Additionally, online parenting groups, word-
of-mouth and pure good luck bring offers from would-be donors. Some
of Jacob’s donors have caches of expressed milk they’re more than happy
to clear out of their overloaded freezers, but live a distance from their
hometown. In these cases, MacDonald and his partner need to travel to
collect the supply, or beg the bus company to remain open so the milk
that’s been delivered won’t spoil overnight. At other times, parents come
to them, friends of neighbours make contact, or strangers make offers
through Facebook. Nevertheless, it seems to be a full-time job to main-
tain adequate stores as Jacob thrives and his appetite increases.
MacDonald’s and his partner’s commitment to breastmilk takes on
epic proportions as they plan, scheme, and repeatedly explain their
unusual circumstances, sometimes to complete strangers. MacDonald
writes that they gradually developed ‘something like Depression men-
tality’ ( 2016 : 204), hording scraps and planning diligently, even when
they have adequate stores. When Jacob is around five months old, they
receive some relief on meeting someone who could only be described
as a ‘super-producer’. Sandi produces enough milk for two-and-a-
half babies and is happy to share the excess with Jacob. MacDonald’s
deepening trust of Sandi as they become friends leads them to dis-
continue pasteurising her donations, as well as being able to let other
donors know their milk is no longer needed, news of which the donors
responded to ‘with some note of relief ’ ( 2016 : 204). While no one had
indicated to MacDonald their stress in maintaining supply for them-
selves along with donations for Jacob, it becomes clear they had com-
mitted extra energy and time in order to help—and were relieved to
find they were no longer needed.
The exchange of milk becomes the basis, on many occasions, for the
beginning of a friendship. As MacDonald writes, ‘Whenever possible, I
try to spend time with milk donors face-to-face, especially if donations
will be ongoing’ ( 2016 : 220). As he becomes increasingly knowledge-
able about breastmilk expression, maximising supply, safe storage, han-
dling, and shipping, he also becomes a source of advice and reassurance
to other parents, ultimately becoming a LLL volunteer.^10
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