How much does it cost to get breast milk?

The Cost of Breast Milk: A Comprehensive Overview
Breast milk, often referred to as “liquid gold,” is not only invaluable for its nutritional benefits but also comes with a range of costs that many parents may not fully anticipate. While breastfeeding is frequently touted as a free option, the reality is far more complex, encompassing both direct and indirect expenses.
Direct Costs of Breastfeeding
For mothers who choose to breastfeed, the direct costs can vary significantly. While the act of breastfeeding itself may not incur a monetary cost, the associated expenses can add up. These include:
– Breast Pumps and Accessories: Many mothers invest in high-quality breast pumps, which can range from $50 to over $300. Additionally, accessories such as storage bags, bottles, and nursing pads contribute to the overall cost.
– Lactation Consultant Fees: For those who encounter difficulties, hiring a lactation consultant can be beneficial, with fees typically ranging from $100 to $300 per session.
– Nutritional Needs: Breastfeeding mothers often need to maintain a well-balanced diet, which can lead to increased grocery bills.
A study highlighted that the total cost of breastfeeding for a year can reach as high as $11,000, factoring in these direct expenses along with the time and effort involved.
Costs of Donated Breast Milk
For families unable to breastfeed or those who prefer not to, purchasing breast milk from milk banks is an option. The cost of donor breast milk typically hovers around $20 per bottle. This price reflects the processing and screening that the milk undergoes to ensure safety and quality. Milk banks operate under strict regulations, and while they provide a safe source of breast milk, the costs can be prohibitive for some families.
The Online Market for Breast Milk
In recent years, an underground market for breast milk has emerged, with some parents turning to online platforms to purchase milk directly from other mothers. While this option may seem cheaper, it carries significant risks. The World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics caution against this practice due to concerns about safety and the lack of screening for diseases. Prices in this market can vary widely, but they often undercut the regulated prices of milk banks.
Indirect Costs and Considerations
Beyond the tangible expenses, there are also indirect costs associated with breastfeeding. These include:
– Time Investment: Breastfeeding can be time-consuming, with mothers often spending hours each day feeding or pumping. This can impact work schedules and overall family dynamics.
– Potential Loss of Income: For working mothers, the need to take time off for breastfeeding or pumping can lead to lost wages or reduced work hours.
The notion that breastfeeding is entirely free is misleading. The cumulative costs—both direct and indirect—can be substantial, leading many to reconsider their feeding options.
Conclusion
In summary, while breast milk is often celebrated for its health benefits and is sometimes perceived as a cost-free option, the reality is that both breastfeeding and obtaining breast milk can involve significant financial and personal investments. Understanding these costs is crucial for parents as they navigate their feeding choices, ensuring they make informed decisions that best suit their family’s needs.

Is it OK to try your own breast milk?

Can You Try Your Own Breast Milk? Yes, you can safely sample your own breast milk. Ferguson shares, “There’s no reason why you couldn’t. It wouldn’t be harmful to you.

Do hospitals pay for breast milk?

This fee is paid for by the hospital, not the family, and covers the cost of screening, processing, bottling, testing, labeling, tracking, and overnight shipment of the frozen pasteurized milk. The milk itself is not sold.

What are the disadvantages of donor milk?

Risks for the baby include exposure to infectious diseases, including HIV, to chemical contaminants, such as some illegal drugs, and to a limited number of prescription drugs that might be in the human milk, if the donor has not been adequately screened.

Does insurance cover donor milk?

Is donor milk covered by insurance? Several states, as well as Tricare insurance for military families, offer reimbursement of donor milk in some situations. The Milk Bank cannot file insurance claims on your behalf, but we can provide the information you need to request reimbursement if you think you might be covered.

How much is a full supply of breast milk?

As you can see, milk supply goes from 1ounce per day to around 24 ounces per day, over the first 2 to 3 weeks, ideally. For some, it may take 6 weeks to get to a full supply.

Can you legally buy 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.

Is it cheaper to breastfeed or formula?

In comparison to a year’s supply of formula, which may cost between $760 and $2,280, breastfeeding for one year may cost women more than $10,500. The team published its findings in the Journal of Perinatology on March 22.

How quickly do breasts refill?

To put a number on it, it usually takes about 20 to 30 minutes after feeding to generate enough milk for your baby, and about 60 minutes to replenish fully. The more often your baby feeds, and the more they empty your breasts, the more milk your body will produce.

How much does it cost to buy breastmilk?

Resources and costs
Human donor milk from milk banks costs $3 to $5 (US) per ounce, and so it might cost $60 to $100 (US) per day for an 3.6-kg baby to consume 20 ounces per day, compared with only $0.50 to $2 (US) per ounce when the milk is purchased online.

How much do hospitals charge for donor milk?

Based on the price of DHM at US $4.00/ounce and the variable amounts of MOM that is supplied to NICU infants, the mean cost of providing DHM is between US $27.04 and $590.90 per infant.