What is the cost of breast milk?

The Cost of Breast Milk: A Complex Equation
Breast milk, often hailed as the gold standard for infant nutrition, is produced by the mammary glands of lactating women and is essential for the healthy development of newborns. While many perceive breastfeeding as a natural and cost-free option, the reality is far more nuanced. The economic implications of breast milk, whether through direct sales or the value of breastfeeding itself, reveal a complex landscape shaped by supply, demand, and societal factors.
The Value of Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is recommended as the exclusive source of nutrition for infants during their first six months, providing all necessary nutrients without the need for additional food or water. However, the notion that breastfeeding is entirely free is misleading. A recent analysis suggests that the economic value of breastfeeding can be as high as $97,000 over a child’s early years, factoring in the costs associated with formula feeding, healthcare, and the time mothers invest in breastfeeding. This figure underscores the significant, albeit often unrecognized, economic contribution of breastfeeding to families and society.
The Market for Breast Milk
In recent years, a burgeoning market for breast milk has emerged, particularly in response to formula shortages and the needs of mothers who cannot breastfeed. Women with surplus milk are increasingly turning to online platforms to sell their excess, with reports indicating that some can earn between $1,400 to $2,100 a month. This trend has given rise to a black market for breast milk, where some women reportedly make up to $20,000 a year by selling their milk through informal channels.
The price of breast milk on these platforms can vary widely, often influenced by factors such as the donor’s health, diet, and the demand in specific communities. While some transactions occur between friends or through community networks, others take place on classified websites, where prices can be negotiated.
Ethical and Health Considerations
The sale of breast milk raises important ethical and health considerations. Health professionals caution against purchasing milk from unregulated sources due to potential risks, including contamination and the transmission of infectious diseases. As a result, many advocate for the use of milk banks, which screen donors and pasteurize milk to ensure safety, although this option can be more expensive and less accessible for some families.
Conclusion
The cost of breast milk is not merely a matter of dollars and cents; it encompasses a range of economic, ethical, and health-related factors. While breastfeeding offers immense value to both mothers and infants, the rise of a market for breast milk highlights the complexities of infant nutrition in today’s society. As families navigate these choices, understanding the true cost of breast milk—both in terms of financial implications and health considerations—remains crucial.

What is the price of breast milk?

However, in many others it might be free for a few poor patients but those who can afford it are usually charged a few hundred rupees for 50 ml of donated breast milk. There are over 80 non-profit human milk banks in India. Neolacta charges Rs 4,500 for 300 ml of frozen breast milk.

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.

How much does breastmilk sell for?

Without insurance, donor breast milk can cost $3.50 to $5 per oz. Milk bank fees cover the costs of processing, which ensures distributed milk is safe and high quality. Commercial milk banks often compensate donors, while nonprofit milk banks do not.

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.

What is the average cost of breast milk?

The average cost is $3-$5 per ounce, and babies can consume between 32 and 48 ounces of milk per day. In states where neither Medicaid nor commercial insurance covers donor milk, families sometimes buy unregulated breast milk online or receive donated milk from friends or family because it can be less expensive.

How much breast milk can a human produce a day?

As a general guide your body may produce the following volumes of milk each 24 hours: First 2 days after birth: less than 100 mL* Day 4 to 5: 500 mL. From 2 weeks: 750-1000 mL.

What is the actual cost of breastfeeding?

A Year of Breastfeeding Costs Families As Much As $11,000, Study Finds. Last year, amid a nationwide formula shortage that left parents scrambling to feed their babies, mothers who didn’t breastfeed faced heavy blame and criticism. But a new study quantifies just how expensive the decision to breastfeed can be.

How many ounces is 20 minutes of breastfeeding?

Average Milk Supply
If you pump within 15-20 minutes of completing a breastfeeding session, you will probably get one to two ounces combined.

What is the value of human breast milk?

Human breast milk (HBM) is essential for the infant’s growth and development right after birth and is an irreplaceable source of nutrition for early human survival. Various infant formulas have many similarities to HBM in many components, but there is no perfect substitute for HBM.

How much is 1 oz of breast milk?

How much milk a baby needs each day, and thus how much a mom ideally produces.

Day of Life	Milk volume 30mL = 30cc = 1oz
Through 6 months	~24 – 32oz per day
After 6 months	~20 – 24oz per day plus foods high in iron, calcium and protein.
	24oz per day = 1oz per hour. If baby ate 3 hrs ago, he’ll need ~3oz now.