If you have extra breast milk, one option is donating to a breast milk bank. Here’s is how to donate breast milk, the eligibility requirements, and answers to common questions about breast milk donation.
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Why donate to a breast milk bank?
If you have extra milk that you aren’t going to be able to use, it can feel really good to know that not only will your breast milk not be wasted, but that it will be going to babies that really need human milk (premature babies, babies with formula intolerances, etc.).
Another benefit is that you have the reassurance that your milk will be pasteurized and safe for the babies that will be drinking it (versus milk sharing, where safety can be more of a concern).
Types of milk banks
There are two types of milk banks:
- Non-profit banks, which are usually part of the Human Milk Banks of North America (HMBANA), an association that provides standards and guidelines for its member banks
- For-profit banks, such as Prolacta and Mother’s Milk Coop. (Mother’s Milk Coop is owned by its donors, who are paid for donations, rather than by a corporation.)
HMBANA-accredited milk banks provide donor milk to hospitals for seriously ill babies, infants that are at home with formula intolerance, and to healthy babies who are adopted or for other reasons do not have access to their own parent’s milk.
Some for-profit banks make human-milk-based products for infants that they sell to hospitals, while some also allow parents in need of human milk to order directly from them.
Eligibility requirements for donating to a milk bank
One caveat, though, is that there are can be quite a few restrictions on who is eligible for breast milk donation to a milk bank. The restrictions vary by bank, so depending on the issue you may be eligible at one bank and not at another.
Some basic eligibility requirements that apply at most banks include:
- Almost all milk banks will require a blood draw at a local lab; they usually cover this expense. Your blood must test negative for HIV, HTLV, Hepatitis B/C, and Syphilis.
- Written letters from a physician stating that you and your baby are healthy (specifically, that your baby is gaining weight and has adequate milk)
- You must not use illegal drugs.
- You cannot be taking most prescription medications (including some antidepressants).
- You cannot use nicotine products.
Most banks do not have issues with low to moderate caffeine or alcohol intake, though they may ask you not to pump for donation purposes for up to 12-48 hours after drinking alcohol.
One milk bank has even started performing DNA tests of its donors. Before donating, donors are required to send in a sample of cheek cells, which the bank uses to create a Donor ID based on the DNA sequence. Every milk donation that is sent in is then tested to make sure it matches the DNA of the donor.
If you are donating just an existing freezer stash and are not going to be an ongoing donor, most milk banks will have a minimum number of ounces (usually 100-150) that they want you to donate in order to make it worth their while to screen you. (Note that this usually does not apply to grieving parents whose babies have passed away.)
Paid breast milk donation versus unpaid donation – donating breast milk for money
Most milk banks do not pay mothers who donate their breast milk.
None of the non-profit HMBANA banks currently pay, and some for-profit banks also do not pay (which … doesn’t seem right to me).
However, there are a few for-profit milk banks that pay, including Tiny Treasures Milk Bank and Mother’s Milk Coop. Both pay $1 per ounce of breast milk (as of June 2021).
Unfortunately, you cannot claim a tax deduction for donating your breast milk; deductions are not allowed for “human body materials.” However, you may be able to deduct expenses related to pumping as a medical expense.
The breast milk donation process
Once it has been established that you are eligible to donate at the milk bank you’ve selected, the bank will go over how they need you to pump and ship your milk.
If you are pumping and donating on a continuous basis, some milk banks have protocols that they will ask you to follow when you handle your milk. These very by bank but might include freezing milk immediately after it is pumped, washing and sterilizing your pump parts at certain intervals, washing your hands before pumping, etc.
In terms of getting the milk to the bank, obviously, if you live close enough to drop the milk off at one of their locations, that’s the best option.
However, in many cases you’ll need to ship frozen milk.
Most milk banks will provide you with an insulated shipping container, instructions, ice packs, and pre-paid address labels. Some milk banks will arrange for the shipping container to be picked up at your house, while others might have you drop it off at a shipping facility like FedEx.
Can you sell your extra breast milk instead of donating?
Yes, that is another option. One way to do this is via online classifieds at Only the Breast, where you find a buyer online and ship your breast milk to them. In most cases, the buyer will ask for a blood testing screen.
Here is a summary of some legal things to consider.
In summary
Donating your breast milk is a fabulous thing to do if you have extra milk, are not taking medications, and are motivated enough to take care of the blood testing that is required and transportation of your milk.
References- Zelenak, Lawrence. “The Body in Question: The Income Tax and Human Body Materials.” https://scholarship.law.duke.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4815&context=lcp
- Human Milk Banking of North America. https://www.hmbana.org/
- Prolacta. “Donor Milk Safety: Prolacta’s Screening, Testing & Manufacturing Process.” https://www.prolacta.com/Data/Sites/14/media/PDF/mcc-140041-donor-milk-safety-and-screening-processes-fact-sheet.pdf
- Tiny Treasures Milk Bank. “Frequently Asked Questions.” https://tinytreasuresmilkbank.com/faqs
- Mother’s Milk Coop. “Donor FAQ.” https://www.mothersmilk.coop/donor_faq