Milk Sharing - formally and informally!
This blog is always handwritten from my perspective and my clinical experiences — no AI slop found here!
Milk sharing is as old as humanity itself. Babies have always needed to be fed and sometimes their mother is not able to provide their own breastmilk for endless reasons.
Many families are familiar with the concept of milk sharing, especially from a milk bank. However, milk banks’ #1 priority is to ensure our most vulnerable infants in the NICU have access to lifesaving breastmilk. Milk banks have a careful screening process typically including a phone interview and labs to ensure the safety of our tiniest, most fragile babies. Milk banks also use the Holder Pasteurization technique to destroy harmful pathogens like HIV, cytomegalovirus, and HTLV. It is important to understand that pasteurization also compromises some of the bioactive components like lactoferrin, whose chief role is to prevent bacterial growth, and immunoglobulin A. Donating to your local milk bank is a truly life saving gift! You can learn more about nonprofit milk banks HERE.
Some milk banks around the US also have milk available for full term infants but it is typically very expensive and cost prohibitive for ongoing supplementation. This is where informal or casual milk sharing shines!
Informal Milk Sharing Safety
Informal milk sharing is not appropriate for premature or medically fragile infants.
Write down your screening questions when talking to a new milk donor. Ask these questions on messenger / text / phone call and then ask the same questions when you meet to pick up the milk. If the answers make you uncomfortable or ring your internal alarm bell, stop the transaction or dump the milk if you have already picked it up.
Questions to consider:
Medications (many medications are safe!! Infant Risk Center is an excellent resource for determining if medications are safe for your baby)
Alcohol use
Tobacco / Vaping / Smoking – Do not accept this milk!!!
Diet and dietary restrictions
How long has milk been frozen?
What is the sanitation routine for pumping?
Ask friends and family if they have breastmilk to share or if they know someone who is willing to share their milk. This might look like someone with a deep freezer of frozen milk or someone who is willing to pump for your baby. Reach out to everyone you know with a baby! So many mothers are thrilled to share their milk with families in need of breastmilk!
If you can’t access milk from someone you know, social media is excellent for connecting families with donor milk.
Do not pay for human milk as this increases risk of adulteration with cow milk / formula / water. Donating milk storage bags is always appropriate as a thank you!
Yes, informal milk sharing requires trust and discernment but it can also be a wonderful community resource to support your goal of providing human milk to your baby.
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I provide clinical lactation care locally in Tallahassee, Florida and via my secure telehealth portal from my screen to yours. I offer holistic lactation care to you and your baby through the lens of health and wellness with a focus on creating ease and sustainability to reduce stress and bring more joy into raising your little one!
