how do i donate breast milk

What disqualifies you from donating breastmilk?

You may be disqualified from donating breast milk if you: Have or are being treated for HIV, HTLV (human T-cell leukemia virus), hepatitis B or C, or syphilis. Have a sexual partner who is at risk for HIV, HTLV, hepatitis B or C, or syphilis. Have used recreational drugs within the last year.Jun 23, 2021

How much is donor breast milk worth?

You can sell your breast milk for anywhere between $2 and $2.50 per ounce, on average, but this number can be even higher in some cases. The average baby drinks about 25 ounces of breast milk every day, and some babies drink even more.Jul 10, 2020

Can I give away my breast milk?

Donate Milk You can save lives by donating your extra breast milk for use as pasteurized donor human milk. Your breast milk contribution will have a big impact, as a premature infant eats as little as one ounce or less in a single feeding.

How long can you donate breast milk?

You can donate newly expressed milk or previously collected frozen milk (up to 10 months from the date of expression) as long as it is clearly marked with month, day and year, and time of expression.

How much is an Oz of breastmilk worth?

The asking price on Only the Breast runs $1 to $2.50 an ounce. (A 6-month-old baby consumes about 30 ounces a day.)May 17, 2011

Why is donor breast milk so expensive?

Donors are banned from smoking or drinking to excess and require a doctors approval prior to making their breast milk available to those in need. So because banks test, screen, and pasteurize the milk before it can be sold, it can be expensive.Nov 29, 2017

What happens if a baby drinks someone else's breast milk?

“While moms who offer their milk to another mama have good intentions, it is possible to pass diseases through breast milk.” After all, even though it might have more nutrients, the breast milk won't be pasteurized, so you could be putting your baby at risk for contracting bacteria, diseases, or viruses.Jan 22, 2020

Can babies smell breast milk from another woman?

The tiniest newborn babies can sniff out breast milk and even lactating women because breast milk has very specific fragrances that are extremely attractive to babies. Infants can also recognize their own mothers simply by smell.May 19, 2021

Is Mother milk good for husband?

Generally speaking, breastfeeding your husband or partner is OK. It's not perverted or wrong if you want the person you are intimate with to breastfeed, or if they ask to try breastfeeding or taste your breast milk.May 21, 2021

Is donor milk covered by insurance?

Pasteurized donor milk could help those babies, but it's often not covered by either private or public insurance. And buying donor milk without insurance can easily cost thousands of dollars a month. That leaves many newborns, especially those in low-income families, without access.Oct 4, 2016

Is donor milk better than formula?

Although some nutrients are lost in pasteurization, donor milk is still better for your baby than infant formula. Preterm infants need extra special nutrition. For the first few months of life, milk from mothers of preterm infants is higher in some nutrients than milk of mothers who deliver full-term babies.

Why is breast milk important?

Breast milk is precious to all infants’ survival and continued health, especially premature and sick babies. Moms who have trouble providing breast milk to their babies can seek the next best alternative: another mom’s milk that was donated and pasteurized by an accredited milk bank. Mamas may consider donor breast milk when faced ...

What is milk sharing?

Milk sharing is giving or using donor breast milk when a mom has trouble producing milk. Typically, we are referring to mothers’ expressed donor milk, however directly breastfeeding another mother’s baby (wet-nursing) is also a method of milk sharing. The three most common types of Milk Sharing in the U.S. today are:

What is NICU in hospitals?

Hospital needs: Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU’s), supplemental milk for babies whose moms aren’t fully lactating, ill infants, infants of mothers who are ill. Infants in the home with medical conditions related to prematurity and feeding intolerance.

What is a wet nurse?

Wet Nursing: A wet nurse is a woman who directly breastfeeds another woman’s child. Wet nurses are employed when the mother is unable or elects not to nurse the child herself. Wet-nursed children may be known as “milk-siblings,” and in some cultures the families are linked by a special relationship of milk kinship.

Can you breastfeed a baby with infectious disease?

Treated with certain medications that are not recommended for breastfeeding. Mother has infectious illness that could be passed to baby through breast milk. Although donor breast milk is the best alternative for feeding babies, it does not have all the same benefits of breastfeeding.

Is milk donated to a non profit?

They are non-profit; milk is donated, and donors are not paid. The donors are strictly screened and tested for diseases such as HIV or Hepatitis B and C – any blood-borne disease. The milk is handled hygienically and pasteurized – killing all known pathogens in breast milk.

How old is a baby when you can donate milk?

Are a healthy mom breastfeeding your baby, who is less than 12-18 months old (the composition of breast milk changes as your child ages, and most donated milk is given to newborn infants) Are not taking medications or drinking alcohol regularly (some medications are safe, so make sure you ask before deciding whether to donate or not)

How old is breast milk to pump?

Here are some common requirements: Pumped frozen breast milk should be less than six months old and stored in a deep freezer. You were following the milk bank’s health and medication requirements. You were using a clean pumping technique that your milk bank finds acceptable.

What are the benefits of breast milk?

Benefits of Donating Breast Milk to Premature & Ill Infants 1 Preterm infants who are fed their mother’s own and donor milk have improved outcomes, a reduction in their length of hospital stay and reduced likelihood of developing necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a potentially fatal illness common in premature infants (Wight, 2001). 2 A systematic review and meta-analysis of formula vs donor milk found that infants who drank only donor milk were 80% less likely to develop NEC (Boyd et al., 2007). 3 Increased rates of breast milk feeding at discharge from the NICU (Kantorowska, et al., 2016)

What is the effect of feeding a preterm infant with milk?

Preterm infants who are fed their mother’s own and donor milk have improved outcomes , a reduction in their length of hospital stay and reduced likelihood of developing necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a potentially fatal illness common in premature infants (Wight, 2001).

When to pump after first feeding?

You may find it easiest to pump after your first-morning feeding session and prepare your pump kit the evening prior. Adding this extra pumping session shortly after birth will help regulate your supply to include your donation. Donating breast milk will be easier with an electric breast pump, preferably a double.

Do milk banks take breast milk?

Some milk banks will take frequent, small amounts of breast milk, while others prefer a larger quantity all at once. You will need to use a clean technique while pumping to reduce the risks of passing on harmful pathogens to premature or ill infants. The milk bank you are working with will have specific instructions for this.

Can you donate breast milk with an electric pump?

Donating breast milk will be easier with an electric breast pump, preferably a double. Check with your insurance provider if breast pumps are covered, or you can look for a breast pump rental station. Some milk banks will take frequent, small amounts of breast milk, while others prefer a larger quantity all at once.

How to Donate Breast Milk

When the Little Mister was first born, I had a rare breast milk condition known as hyperlactation. It’s just as it sounds–I hyper lactated. I was producing enough milk to feed five or six babies, not just my one.

How to Donate Breastmilk

Donating breast milk to needy babies is not only generous and kind, but also easy. Here are the steps:

Donation Exceptions

A few things to keep in mind when pumping for donation are that there are wait periods whenever you drink alcohol or take any kind of medication (including OTC breastfeeding safe medications like Tylenol or Benadryl). Ask your milk bank representative about how long to wait after drinking or taking medications before you can pump donation milk.

After Donation

Unfortunately, the breast milk that you donate cannot be written off your taxes (at least not for our area).

Conclusion

So, there you have it! It’s really a simple, easy process and your milk bank rep will help you out along the way so it’s never overwhelming. Plus, she is always there to answer any questions you might have.

How much does breast milk cost?

Also know that buying breast milk from both nonprofit and commercial banks is expensive: The cost of donor breast milk varies but typically costs between $3 and $5 an ounce, which goes toward the processing, handling and distribution of the milk.

What to do if your baby isn't breastfeeding?

If your baby isn’t premature or doesn’t have a medical condition that requires human milk (including prematurity, failure to thrive, an intolerance to formula or allergies) and you’re among the many moms who struggle with breastfeeding, talk to your pediatrician. He or she may be able to help or refer you to a doula and/or a lactation consultant who can. Many nursing issues can be daunting to resolve on your own — but can be solved with the help of a professional.

What is compassionate use milk?

Some have a supply of what’s known as “compassionate use” breast milk, or donated milk that’s left over for moms who aren’t able to adequately feed their babies on their own but aren’t high on the priority list of those who get milk from banks first.

How long can you keep milk in the freezer?

While frozen milk is considered safe for use at home for up to 12 months, many banks have shorter limits on the amount of time milk can spend in the freezer before being donated.

What are potential donors screened for?

Potential donors are screened for HIV, hepatitis B and C, HTLV, and syphilis. The milk bank will give you instructions for having your blood drawn and will cover the cost of the test. Become an approved donor. Once your forms and bloodwork have been reviewed, you’ll be notified about whether you’re eligible to donate.

Can you donate milk outside of a bank?

But donating or receiving milk this way isn’t recommended, according to the AAP and the FDA. Donating outside of an accredited bank means donors haven’t undergone adequate health screening. And milk may not be collected, stored and processed properly to ensure that it’s safe.

What are the risks of taking non approved medications?

Take non-approved medications. Test positive for HIV, HTLV, hepatitis B or C, or syphilis or are at risk of having a bloodborne illness. Recently received a blood transfusion or organ or tissue transplant. Have had potential exposure to Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Have tattoos, body piercings or permanent makeup.