how to donate breast milk near me

Where can I buy donor breast milk?

Dec 08, 2021 · You can donate to human milk banks even if there isn’t one near where you live. It can be more difficult to get milk from a milk bank if you aren’t nearby, though. Many hospitals get their milk from these milk banks across the United States and Canada.

Is it safe to donate breast milk?

How to Donate Breast Milk. The first step in donating breast milk is to visit our website and review the eligibility requirements and fill out our donor interest form. You may also call the milk bank to do a pre-screening with one of our certified lactation counselors. We accept breast milk donations nationwide through our Donation and Outreach Centers across the U.S.

Why to donate your breast milk?

We give mothers the choice of two milk banks, depending on what feels most comfortable for them. Tiny Treasures Milk Bank compensates you $1 per ounce for your time and effort, while Helping Hands Milk Bank contributes $1 per oz to the breast cancer foundation Susan G. Komen. .

Why is it important to donate breast milk?

The Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA) mobilizes the healing power of donor milk by accrediting nonprofit milk banks in the US and Canada and setting international guidelines for pasteurized donor human milk. Find out more. Find a Milk Bank. Our 31 members help mothers donate their extra breast milk for use by fragile ...

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 can you make donating breast milk?

Babies need between 19 and 30 ounces of breast milk daily between the ages of 1 to 6 months, so selling milk can bring you in a decent side income. For example, if you sold 25 ounces of breast milk per day at $1 an ounce for a year, you'd make more than $9,100.Nov 13, 2019

Can you get donated breast milk?

Can You Buy Breast Milk? The short answer is yes, you can purchase donor breast milk. It is important to note that though donor milk is the best alternative for feeding newborns, it does not have all the same benefits of breastfeeding using mothers' own milk.

What is the process of donating breast milk?

Four easy steps to donate breast milk:Complete a 15-minute phone screening.Fill out forms.Get a blood test (we pay for it).Make arrangements with us for delivery of your breast milk (at no cost to you).

How much does an oz of breastmilk cost?

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

How much is breast milk worth on the black market?

On ad classified sites, like Only The Breast, and Breast Feeding Moms Unite, people sell their milk for around two dollars an ounce. That's a bargain compared to over four dollars that milk banks will charge.Nov 19, 2018

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

Do you have to pay for donor breast milk?

The cost of donor milk varies but is generally estimated as $3-5 per ounce, which includes both direct costs such as screening of donors, and processing and pasteurizing of breast milk, and indirect costs such as research and infrastructure.Feb 28, 2018

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

How long is breast milk good for?

4 daysFreshly expressed or pumped milk can be stored: At room temperature (77°F or colder) for up to 4 hours. In the refrigerator for up to 4 days. In the freezer for about 6 months is best; up to 12 months is acceptable.

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.

How much does breast milk cost?

Donor breast milk could cost roughly $3 to $5 per ounce, according to a 2018 post by Dr. Lydia Furman, an editor of the journal Pediatrics. Multiply that amount by several feedings per day, and expenses could cost thousands of dollars per month.Sep 3, 2020

Donate Breast Milk. Donating Saves Babies

If you believe you might be eligible to become a milk donor, please fill out this short form.

How to Donate Breast Milk

The first step in donating breast milk is to visit our website and review the eligibility requirements and fill out our donor interest form. You may also call the milk bank to do a pre-screening with one of our certified lactation counselors. We accept breast milk donations nationwide through our Donation and Outreach Centers across the U.S.

Breast Milk Donation Process

Watch the video below to learn more about the breast milk donation process.

Donate your breastmilk to help critically ill and premature infants thrive

Are you generally healthy and produce milk in excess of what your baby needs? Do you want to make a difference in the lives of infants with special nutritional needs?

Donor experiences

Breastmilk donors have an opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of babies and their families. Many of our donors tell us that their experience donating gives them a real sense of purpose. Plus, we work to ensure all the resources and information needed to make the process of donating as straight forward and rewarding as possible.

How to donate breast milk?

How and where to donate breast milk 1 Contact the milk bank for pre-screening. You’ll be asked a list of questions to get to know a little bit about you and your baby, your general health, and how much milk you’ll be able to donate. 2 Complete donor forms. To determine your eligibility, you’ll answer questions about your current health and health history, lifestyle, and medication use. 3 Have a blood test. 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. 4 Become an approved donor. Once your forms and bloodwork have been reviewed, you’ll be notified about whether you’re eligible to donate. 5 Safely share your milk. Your bank will provide you with instructions for clean, safe milk collection (like washing your hands and properly cleaning your pump and pump parts) and where and how to store your milk after it’s been pumped. Depending on your bank and where you live, you may be able to drop the milk off directly to the bank or arrange for it to be picked up. If your milk needs to be shipped, the bank will cover the cost of shipping and provide you with supplies (like dry ice) and instructions for how to ship your milk overnight to ensure it stays fresh during transit.

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.

Is formula good for breastfeeding?

If you find that breastfeeding doesn’t work out even with professional help, and you’ve exhausted hospitals and nonprofit milk banks, formula feeding — either exclusively or as a supplement to the breast milk you can produce — is ultimately your safest alternative. Don’t beat yourself up or feel guilty. Formula is created to supply your baby with all of her nutritional needs. Your baby will thrive no matter how you feed her , as long as you do so with love . Know that you’re doing the best you can for your little one — and she’ll grow up happy, healthy and none the wiser about what kind of milk she drank as a baby. Promise.

How to become a milk donor?

4 Easy Steps to Becoming a Donor 1 SCREENING CALL#N#A telephone screening to establish that you meet the basic criteria to become a milk donor. This takes about 15 minutes or so to complete. Call us at 212.956.MILK (6455). 2 LIFESTYLE AND HISTORY REVIEW#N#Complete a written health and lifestyle application, consent forms, and medical releases we can email you or send you via the USPS 3 MEDICAL CLEARANCE#N#Have your and your baby’s provider complete the medical releases. We can fax these releases for you or you can contact them yourself. 4 FREE BLOOD TEST#N#Once we have your completed forms and blood test results, we will contact you to arrange how you can get your milk to us.

How long does it take to become a milk donor?

A telephone screening to establish that you meet the basic criteria to become a milk donor. This takes about 15 minutes or so to complete. Call us at 212.956.MILK (6455). Have your and your baby’s provider complete the medical releases.

What are the requirements for a donor?

Our donors meet the following basic requirements: In good health and able to breastfeed, with a surplus of milk. No use of nicotine products or regular use of milk enhancing herbs, including fenugreek or blessed thistle. Minimal use of medications.

What are milk banks?

Milk from milk banks are prioritized for: 1 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. 2 Infants in the home with medical conditions related to prematurity and feeding intolerance. 3 When possible, healthy babies whose mothers are unable to provide breast milk for a reason other than a medical condition. 4 Some milk is used for research purposes, and some milk is also given to adults with health problems (such as cancer) who are prescribed breast milk as part of their treatment.

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:

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 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.

Is breast milk the same as breastfeeding?

Although donor breast milk is the best alternative for feeding babies, it does not have all the same benefits of breastfeeding. Breast milk changes every day to meet the changing needs of your baby based on age.