Tessa Quinn
Breast milk donation is a way to help fragile newborns whose mothers cannot produce milk. Donated milk is lifesaving medicine for premature babies or those with weakened immune systems. Hospitals rely on milk banks to provide pasteurized donor milk for these patients. Milk banks typically complete an eligibility process for donors and test milk donations to ensure they are safe. The donation process involves bloodwork, submitting medical records, and interviews. Donated milk is weighed, recorded, frozen, defrosted, analysed, and pasteurized to kill harmful bacteria. It is then sent to hospitals and homes. Milk banks may have different requirements, so donors should research and choose a milk bank that suits their needs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Why donate breast milk to hospitals? | To help fragile infants, preemies, and sick infants whose mothers cannot make milk |
| Who can donate breast milk? | Mothers who have excess breast milk |
| How to donate? | Find a milk bank in your state or local area, complete eligibility requirements, and donate either directly or via shipment |
| Where to donate? | Milk banks, hospitals, or directly to other mothers in the community |
| How much to donate? | Any amount helps, but it is recommended to keep 200 ounces frozen for personal surplus and donate 150 ounces or more |
| How long does the donation process take? | On average, 32 days, but donors can fast-track the process by scheduling their blood test |
| How to store breast milk? | Label and store the date and time of the pumping session on the bags, set the freezer to the coldest setting, and consume less than 24 ounces of coffee daily |
| How long can breast milk be stored? | 6 months in a freezer attached to a fridge and 12 months in a deep freezer |
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What You'll Learn
Where to donate breast milk
Donating breast milk is a wonderful way to help fragile newborns whose mothers cannot produce milk. Your donation can be lifesaving for these babies, providing them with the vital nutrients they need to thrive.
There are a few ways to donate breast milk to hospitals. One option is to locate a milk bank in your area. Milk banks serve as intermediaries between donors and hospitals, ensuring safe and eligible donations. You can find a list of over 30 HMBANA member milk banks and their locations online. Once you've found a convenient milk bank, you can contact them, and their staff will guide you through the screening process. After approval, you can drop off your donation at a milk depot site or use overnight shipping at no cost. Remember that milk banks have varying eligibility requirements, so be sure to review their guidelines and complete any necessary steps, such as bloodwork or medical records submission.
Another option is to donate directly to hospitals with milk banks or collection points. For instance, the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia has a lactation team that can guide you through their donation screening process. Similarly, MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital, home to the Mary Bridge Children's Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), accepts donations at their Mothers' Milk Depot. They send the collected milk to the Northwest Mothers Milk Bank, where it is screened, pasteurized, and distributed to hospitals across the nation.
Additionally, some hospitals have their own milk banks, such as the University of California Health Milk Bank in San Diego, California, and the Rogers Hixon Ontario Human Milk Bank at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, Canada. You can contact these hospitals directly to inquire about their donation processes and requirements.
Remember, each milk bank and hospital will have its own guidelines and eligibility criteria, so be sure to review their individual processes before donating. Your donation can make a significant difference in the lives of fragile infants and their families.
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Eligibility requirements
The eligibility requirements for donating breast milk to a hospital include having breast milk in excess of what your child needs. It is important to never take milk away from your own baby to donate. You should be able to freeze your breast milk within 24-48 hours of pumping and keep it stored in a freezer set to the coldest setting. Milk banks typically have minimum donation requirements, and some request bloodwork and milk testing. They may also require that your paediatrician confirms that you have a healthy, breastfed infant.
You should be transparent about your health and medical history when applying to donate. Some milk banks will not accept donations from individuals who have or are being treated for HIV, HTLV (human T-cell leukaemia virus), hepatitis B or C, or syphilis. Similarly, if your sexual partner is at risk for these infections, your milk may not be eligible for donation.
It is important to note that requirements vary between milk banks, so it is recommended that you research and choose a milk bank that is currently accepting donations and read their specific guidelines to ensure you are eligible.
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How to store breast milk
To store breast milk, you should always wash your hands with soap and water before expressing or handling breast milk. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser that contains at least 60% alcohol. Mothers can express breast milk by hand or with a manual or electric pump. If using a pump, inspect the pump kit and tubing to make sure it is clean. Discard and replace mouldy tubing immediately.
You can store breast milk at room temperature (up to 77°F or 25°C) for up to four hours. It can be kept in the fridge for up to four days and in a normal kitchen freezer for up to six months, although it can be stored in a freezer for up to 12 months. It is important to note that the recommended storage times should be followed for the best quality. Always label breast milk with the date it was expressed and store it inside the fridge or freezer, not in the door, to protect it from temperature changes.
When storing breast milk in the freezer, leave about one inch of space at the top of the container as it expands as it freezes. Use breast milk storage containers such as screw-cap bottles, hard plastic cups with tight caps, or heavy-duty breast milk storage bags. Regular plastic storage bags are not recommended as they can easily leak or spill.
If you are travelling with expressed breast milk, it can be stored in an insulated cooler with frozen ice packs for up to 24 hours. At your destination, use the milk right away, store it in the refrigerator, or freeze it.
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How to ship breast milk
If you want to donate breast milk to a hospital, you will need to find a milk bank that works with hospitals in your region. Milk banks are liaison services that connect donors with families seeking milk for infants. They also complete an eligibility process for donors and ensure that milk donations are safe.
You can find a milk bank in your state or local area by doing a quick search online. Once you have found a milk bank, review their guidelines to ensure that you are eligible and meet their minimum donation requirements. Many milk banks request bloodwork and also test breast milk, so you may have to complete bloodwork, submit medical records, and participate in phone or online interviews.
After you have been approved, you can ship your breast milk to the milk bank. Make sure to label your breast milk with the date and time of your pumping session and how many ounces are in each bag. Keep your freezer set to the coldest setting to ensure that milk is stored according to guidelines.
Some milk banks may offer overnight shipping at no cost to you, but you should check with your chosen milk bank to confirm.
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Benefits of donating breast milk
Donating breast milk is a rewarding act that offers numerous benefits to mothers and babies in need. Here are some advantages of donating breast milk:
Benefits to Receiving Mothers
Donor breast milk is a lifeline for mothers who are unable to produce enough milk for their babies. It ensures that their infants receive the optimal nutrition nature intended. This is especially crucial for mothers of premature infants, who often struggle to produce an adequate milk supply due to various factors. Donated breast milk allows these mothers to provide their fragile newborns with the nourishment they need during a stressful time.
Benefits to Hospitalised Babies
Breast milk donations directly benefit hospitalised babies, particularly those in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Donated human milk is a life-saving gift for these vulnerable infants, increasing their chances of survival and thriving. It helps protect them against illnesses and infections and supports their overall growth and development. Donor milk also enables premature or sick babies to be discharged from the hospital sooner, reducing their length of stay and allowing them to heal and recover at home.
Benefits to Donor Mothers
For donor mothers, the process of donating breast milk can be emotionally fulfilling. Knowing that your excess milk is helping another family in need can bring a sense of satisfaction and purpose. It allows donor mothers to make a meaningful contribution to the health and well-being of babies in their community. Additionally, the process of donating breast milk helps raise awareness about the importance of breastfeeding and the challenges some mothers face. By sharing their milk, donor mothers become part of a supportive network that promotes infant health and empowers other mothers.
Benefits to the Community
Donating breast milk to a nonprofit milk bank ensures that fragile babies in the community receive safe and optimal nutrition. Milk banks play a vital role in enhancing babies' immune systems and protecting them from harmful bacteria and infections. They also promote the overall well-being of medically fragile infants, including those who are premature, critically ill, malnourished, or at-risk. By donating breast milk, individuals contribute to a collective effort that strengthens the health and resilience of the community's youngest members.
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Frequently asked questions
Donating breast milk to a hospital can help fragile newborns who are born prematurely or have weakened immune systems and might not have access to a parent’s breast milk.
You can find a milk bank in your state or local area by doing a quick search online. Milk banks are located worldwide and serve as a liaison between milk donors and families seeking milk for infants.
Eligibility requirements vary from milk bank to milk bank. However, some general requirements include having breast milk in excess of what your child needs, being able to freeze your breast milk within 24-48 hours of pumping, and being in good general health.
Once you have located a milk bank that is accepting donations and reviewed their guidelines, you can fill out an application to donate. After being approved, you can drop off your donation at a milk depot site or use overnight shipping. Your donation will then be weighed, recorded, and kept frozen before being defrosted and pasteurized for use.
