Got Milk? 5 Things To Know About Donating Breast Milk

Donating breast milk is more than sharing—it’s saving lives. But if you are considering donating breast milk, understanding each step of the process is crucial for ensuring the safety and well-being of the babies who will benefit.

If you are considering donating breast milk, here are 5 things to know about being a milk donor.

Is Informal Sharing Of Breast Milk Safe?

Turning to friends or contacts in social media networks to share extra breast milk may be an immediate solution when you can't find formula or have a decrease in milk supply. But getting another mom's breast milk isn’t risk-free, research suggests.

"Informal" sharing, where parents get breast milk either from a nursing mom they know or via the internet, is a practice discouraged by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration due to safety concerns.

With informal sharing of breast milk, there is a risk of dilution, or contamination with viruses or bacteria, particularly with donor milk obtained online. Even when breast milk is given to another family for free, with the best of intentions, there could be accidental contamination or temperature instability that causes the milk to spoil.

What Is The Best Way To Safely Donate Breast Milk?

Nursing moms who have extra milk they want to donate can sign up to give to a milk bank. There are two milk banks in Indiana and in Illinois, each with many convenient drop-off location sites.

Milk donated to milk banks or milk depots are screened, pasteurized and processed for the safety of even the smallest and most fragile babies in hospital NICUs, when often peer-shared milk is not accepted due to safety concerns.

Milk banks have stringent rules on donors, and the formal process to become a milk donor takes two to three weeks to be approved. Once a mother has expressed interest in donating breast milk, they will complete a pre-screening, a health questionnaire and consent forms. Your medical provider will be contacted, and blood testing will be arranged for you, at the milk bank's expense. Once approved, you will receive formal breast milk donation instructions from your milk bank.

What Health Issues Can Keep Moms From Donating?

Temporary household illnesses, viruses, some medications and substances not considered safe for breastfeeding, such as alcohol or tobacco use, may keep you from being able to donate milk for a period of time.

Household Illness

Many household illnesses will not prevent you from becoming a milk donor, but some may require a temporary deferral if you become sick. Talk to your local milk bank if you have any concerns.

Viruses

Certain viruses, such as HIV, can be transmitted through breast milk.

Medication And Supplement Use

Taking medications or having certain conditions or illnesses does not necessarily mean you cannot become a breast milk donor.

Certain medications and supplements may be safe for breastfeeding your child, they but may not meet the center’s milk donation standards for fragile infants. Talk to your milk bank donor coordinator about any medications you may take.

Alcohol, Tobacco And Other Substance Use

Potential breast milk donors will be asked about use of alcohol, tobacco, CBD products, marijuana, and illicit drugs.

What Is Expected Of Milk Donors?

Lactating women who have extra milk and want to become a milk donor to help other babies in need are expected to:

• Follow the milk bank’s milk donation guidelines.
• Report any changes in medications and household illnesses.
• Drop off milk at a convenient milk depot near you, or work with the milk banks to arrange for safe shipping.
• Keep milk frozen at home and during transport.

How Can I Make Sure I Donate Milk Safely?

Follow these steps to ensure your milk donations are given in the safest manner:

1. Keep breast pump parts clean using hot soapy water. Sanitize your pumping parts frequently.
2. Store milk in approved single-use, sterile breast milk storage bags or containers.
3. Label bags or containers with the date that the milk was pumped.
4. Do not mix milks from different dates in the same storage bag or container.
5. Do not mix warm breast milk with cooled milk.
6. After pumping, freeze milk as soon as possible. Refer to your milk bank's donation guidelines.
7. Do not scald or heat breast milk before freezing.
8. Call your milk bank if you have any questions about your milk donations.

Locate A Milk Depot

Particularly with the baby formula shortage, milk banks are grateful we are for donors who help them serve babies in the hospital and in the community.

• Illinois, including Chicago area, Olympia Fields and central Illinois: Mothers Milk Bank of Western Great Lakes
• Indiana, including Indianapolis, Lafayette, Crawfordsville, Crown Point, Michigan City, Valparaiso, as well as southern Illinois: Milk Bank