What is donated breast milk used for?

The Importance of Donated Breast Milk
Donated breast milk plays a crucial role in the health and nutrition of infants, particularly those who are premature or have specific medical needs. As the best source of nutrients for all infants, human milk is especially vital when a mother’s own milk is unavailable. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the use of donor human milk for premature neonates, regardless of whether they have medical complications.
Uses of Donated Breast Milk
1. Support for Premature Infants: One of the primary uses of donated breast milk is to feed premature infants who may not be able to receive their mother’s milk. These infants often face a higher risk of health complications, and donor milk can provide essential nutrients that support their growth and development.
2. Medical Conditions: Donated breast milk is also beneficial for infants with certain medical conditions that may prevent them from breastfeeding or receiving formula. For instance, babies with gastrointestinal issues or metabolic disorders may require specialized nutrition that donor milk can provide.
3. Supplementing Maternal Milk: For mothers who may struggle to produce enough milk, donated breast milk can serve as a supplement. This ensures that their babies receive adequate nutrition while the mother works on increasing her milk supply.
4. Research and Development: Beyond direct feeding, donated breast milk is used in research to better understand its properties and benefits. This research can lead to improved guidelines for infant nutrition and health.
Safety and Processing
To ensure the safety of donated breast milk, it undergoes a rigorous screening and pasteurization process. High-pressure techniques can inactivate microorganisms, providing an alternative to traditional pasteurization methods. This process is critical in maintaining the milk’s nutritional quality while ensuring it is safe for consumption.
Conclusion
In summary, donated breast milk is a vital resource that supports the health of vulnerable infants, particularly those who are premature or facing medical challenges. Its use is backed by health organizations worldwide, emphasizing its importance in infant nutrition and care. As awareness of the benefits of breast milk donation grows, so does the need for safe and effective practices in the donation process, ensuring that more infants can thrive with the help of this invaluable resource.

Do hospitals pay for donor 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.

How much money do you get for donating breast milk?

Komen® $1 for every ounce of qualified milk collected. Tiny Treasures Milk Bank – You’ll be compensated $1.20 for every qualified ounce of milk you donate.

What can I do with unwanted breast milk?

Note: If your stash isn’t expired like mine, please consider donating any and all leftover milk to the HMBANA, which is a network of non-profit milk banks that focus on serving “vulnerable preterm and otherwise fragile infants who need human milk as medicine.”

What can extra breast milk be used for?

• Uses for Undrinkable Breast Milk.
• Draw a Milk Bath.
• Make Breast Milk Soap and Lotion.
• Turn It Into Breast Milk Jewelry.
• Uses for Extra Fresh or Frozen Breast Milk.
• Donate or Sell Your Extra Breast Milk.
• Make Breast Milk Popsicles.
• Make Baby Food.

What are the downsides of donor breast 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.

Is it illegal to give away breast milk?

Although states such as California, New York, and Texas have laws pertaining to the procurement and distribution of human milk, these laws pertain to milk donated through a licensed milk bank, and not to individual sellers in the informal “gray” market.

What do they do with donated breast milk?

Milk banks pasteurize donor milk to kill bacteria, combine it with other donors’ milk to make sure the milk components are well balanced, and test the milk for contamination. They then provide the milk to premature babies and other infants whose parents may not be able to breast-feed.

What is the difference between mother’s milk and donor milk?

Maternal milk contains many bioactive factors which are adjusted for the specific needs of her very preterm infant. Pasteurised donor milk contains less nutrients and bioactive factors than maternal milk and does not promote growth, health and development as well.

Why is donor milk so expensive?

Hospitals bear the cost of storing, preparing and supplying the milk, even when the milk itself is covered by insurance. A handful of hospitals have their own milk banks, but these can cost up to $150,000 annually to maintain. Even if a hospital prescribes donor human milk, it is an expense that many cannot afford.

What disqualifies you from donating breast milk?

You may be disqualified from donating breast milk if you: Have or are being treated for HIV, HTLV (human T-cell leukemia virus), hepatitis B or C, or syphilis. Have a sexual partner who is at risk for HIV, HTLV, hepatitis B or C, or syphilis. Have used recreational drugs within the last year.