Milk Donation or Milk Sharing
If you are producing more liquid gold than your baby eats, this is a blessing! You already know the benefits of human milk but did you know you can share your extra milk to help feed other babies?
Humans have been sharing their milk for as long as we’ve been feeding babies. Before the invention of formula, sharing milk was the way to keep babies alive and thriving. Throughout the history of wet nursing there are generous donations and those forced through slavery. We are lucky now to have safe options to feed our babies through formula as well as through milk donation or milk sharing.
Milk Banks
Milk Banks serve as a formal liaison between milk donors and families seeking milk for an infant. They are organizations with rigorous safety protocols in place and are a great place to start if you want to consider formal milk donation. To find a milk bank in your area, visit the Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA).
Criteria vary by milk bank but will likely include:
You must be in good health and live a healthy lifestyle (meaning you don’t smoke or use drugs)
You have excess milk from what your child needs (you aren’t taking milk away from your baby to donate)
You are able to freeze your milk and follow hygeine practices for pumping and storage
You only use allowed medications or supplements
You meet a minimum donation amount, in ounces
You donate frozen milk that is less than 6 months old, has been properly labeled, stored and meets other screening requirements
Where does donated milk go?
Donated milk is processed, screened, pasteurized and distributed based on need. Milk banks provide to high risk infants in NICU and those born with complex medical conditions. You need a doctor’s prescription for receiving donated milk.
Informal Milk Sharing
Informal milk sharing between parents can come in a variety of forms: through a family member, friends or even someone through an online group like Human Milk 4 Human Babies. Informal milk sharing isn’t for everybody but it is a generous gift for many.
NEVER Pay Someone for their Milk
When you introduce payment for human milk, someone is being taken advantage of. Whether that be the receiving parent getting watered down milk or cows milk unknowingly or the baby of the donating parent who may need that milk. Most online groups prohibit the transfer of money for milk. If you are approached for payment during a donation, say no and find a different option.
Four Pillars of Safe Milk Sharing
Informed Choice- Understands the risks and benefits of all infant feeding methods. Know your source. Discuss with your baby’s healthcare provider.
Donor Screening- Ask about donor’s lifestyle, medical concerns and habits. Screen for HIV, HTLV, HBV, HCV, Syphillis and Rubella.
Safe Handling- For both the donor and receiver. Keep hands and equipment clean. Properly handle, store and transport milk.
Home Pasteurization- Heat treat milk to address infectious pathogens. Make an informed choice about non-pasteurized milk if donor criteria are met
Milk sharing is a tremendous gift of the generosity of others but not a decision to make lightly. Do your research, talk to others, make an informed decision.
