Is your freezer packed with more breast milk than you need or know what to do with? If you're anything like me, you've spent countless hours pumping and you may have an excess that your baby simply can't keep up with. What's a mama to do? Consider donating!
I'm here to share all about breast milk donation. Now, I will be the first to tell you that if you are a breastfeeding mom who pumps and/or nurses WITHOUT a surplus, there is NOTHING wrong with that. Many moms, especially those who pump exclusively, simply may find themselves with an oversupply. If that's you, why not share the love and help out premature infants and other babies in need?
AAP Recommendations
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breast milk for all babies, especially those weighing less than about 3.3 pounds. Since those tiny fighters may not have access to their own mom's milk for various reasons, even the smallest donation of excess milk could be a lifesaver. You don't need a truckload of milk to make a difference - every drop counts when it comes to helping babies receive that extra-nutritious liquid gold!
Who is a Good Candidate for Milk Donation?
Maybe you've been wondering if you're cut out to be a breast milk donor. Well, the good news is that the majority of moms are great candidates. According to the Breast Milk Foundation, you can donate your breast milk as long as you are in good health, not on any contradicting medications, and have more milk than your baby requires.
Sounds pretty simple, right?
There is a bit of screening involved, of course. American non-profit milk banks adhere to the highest ethical standards set by the Human Milk Banking of North America, HMBANA, when it comes to potential donors and distributing breast milk. Most healthcare providers within the milk bank's organization will ask questions about your health, medications, and lifestyle. But don't freak out if you love your morning coffee and the occasional glass of wine -- a limited amount of caffeine and alcohol doesn't disqualify you. Now, if you're tossing back Red Bulls and cocktails on the regular you may want to reconsider milk donation, or plan for proper timeframes of donation periods though out the week. For more information on alcohol and breastfeeding, check out my blog post here.
How to Donate Milk
There are two ways you may want to consider participating in milk donation: milk banks and mom-to-mom.
Donating Milk Through a Milk Bank
While donating milk to a non-profit milk bank might sound intimidating, the process is presented in the most user-friendly manner. There are several milk banks across North America, and most have websites that walk you through the entire process. The Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA) can help you find a milk bank that best suits your donation desires. Registration, a health check, a blood test, and possibly a telephone interview, and then boom -- you're ready to help babies in need! Healthcare professionals at the milk bank you choose will give you all of the organizational policies you need. Milk banks take strict security measures and privacy policies seriously, ensuring your personal identification information is kept safe.
Personally, I have donated to both a milk bank and mom-to-mom. This time around, I am working with the University of California Health Milk Bank. After completing their screening process and obtaining an all-clear from my OB, I was given the green light to begin donating!
When you donate breast milk to a milk bank, you can be assured that your milk goes to help babies who are in great need, such as sick babies or premature babies in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). These types of organizations are not-for-profit, so you will not be eligible for any form of compensation.
Mom-to-Mom Donations
Maybe you're interested in donating breastmilk mom-to-mom. This may take place between friends or through more widespread milk donation networks on social media or other avenues in your local community. It's a more informal route, and while the CDC and WHO don't officially recommend it, thousands of moms do it every year.
Not sure how to find a platform? Websites and Facebook groups like "Human Milk 4 Human Babies" or "Eats on Feets" facilitate connections between milk donors and moms in need. Some groups may also provide guidelines for safe sharing. Certain pediatric offices and birth workers can also help facilitate the connection sometimes. In general, if you are considering donating mom-to-mom, be sure that you are eating a balanced diet, taking your postnatal vitamins, limiting alcohol and caffeine intake, and storing your breast milk properly. Transparency is key if you hope to donate mom-to-mom, so make sure to communicate clearly with the community to ensure good faith in all exchanges.
What Happens to Donor Milk?
So, once your milk leaves your freezer and enters a milk bank, what happens? Your milk will typically be thoroughly mixed with other donor's milk to ensure an even distribution of milk components. The combined breast milk then goes through a gentle pasteurization process to kill any bacteria and viruses or infectious diseases while still keeping the good stuff intact. After that, the milk is tested to make sure it is free of infection and stored in a deep freezer, until fed to a baby in need. At that time, the milk will then be mixed to the perfect caloric needs individualized for the recipient baby.
What to Do if You Need Donated Milk
Perhaps you're on the other side of this story -- your baby needs donor milk. First of all, know that you are not alone!
NICU Babies
We love how NICU staff cares for the most fragile babies! Usually if your baby is in the NICU and you are dealing with a low supply or are unable to pump breast milk for one reason or another, the hospital will use their supply of donor milk that they often have on hand.
HMBANA Milk Banks
If your baby is home and you still desire donor milk, there are a few ways to go about it. Many hospitals work with local HMBANA milk banks. A quick chat with a certified lactation consultant or even your pediatrician can help you find the right path. Don't forget to check with your health insurance plan to see if donor milk is covered. Many pediatricians will provide a prescription in order to help with this process.
For-Profit Milk Banks
You do have the option to go the for-profit milk bank route if you are not producing enough milk for your baby, but be prepared to shell out some serious cash. Prices can be more than $60 per day depending on how much breast milk your baby consumes.
Mom-to-Mom Donations
As I mentioned previously, if you're interested in mom-to-mom sharing (assuming you are not dealing with a NICU baby), Facebook is a great place to start. Look for "Human Milk 4 Human Babies" or "Eats on Feets" within your state. Here you'll find tons of moms offering to donate from their milk surplus. Just make sure to discuss things like diet, caffeine and alcohol intake, and any medications or supplements taken, with the milk donors before accepting donor milk for your baby. As a recipient of donor breast milk, you have a right to discuss your expectations for this important health decision. For more information on medications and breastfeeding, head over to my blog post here.
Now, I'm sure you I don't need to remind you of this, but be safe when using social media. Don't share confidential information like your social security number or credit card number (No one needs that in an exchange of breast milk - ha!).
Final Thoughts:
Donating breast milk is such a selfless practice, and a beautiful move if you can swing it as a breastfeeding mom. Whether you naturally have an oversupply and are running out of freezer space, or just want to offer a few ounces from your milk supply to help babies in need, every little bit counts. And, if you find yourself in need of donor milk, do not be afraid to reach out for help - there are plenty of user-friendly resources available to ensure your baby receives the nourishment they need in the way that you see fit.
