Breast milk donation – Celebrating human milk donation day

Breast milk is the best start for every child, (World Health Organization). However, for some women, it may take time for their milk supply to stabilize, especially for those who develop early or who have other complications. This is where breastfeeding is a lifeline. Donated human milk is recommended by the World Health Organization both when the mother’s own milk is not available and for its recognized support in breastfeeding and breastfeeding when used properly. The safest way for this milk sharing to happen is through milk banks that provide it. In 2020 it is estimated that there were 756 milk banks worldwide.

Giving breast milk:

Breast milk banks (also known as human milk banks) are places where breastfeeding mothers can donate their breast milk to be processed and stored for someone else to use. Donors are often mothers who produce too much milk or who have excess frozen milk that their baby does not need. This milk can be distributed in milk banks where it is properly evaluated and placeduascending methods are followed. Alternatively, they can be randomly shared with individual donations, but these are not reviewed or removed and this is what parents would like.

Pasteurisation is an important step in the preparation of donated breast milk to ensure that it is as safe as possible for the baby. The milk is heated to a special temperature and then quickly solidified to remove harmful bacteria and viruses that may be present in the milk. This method also ensures that the protective benefits and nutrients of milk are still available to benefit the recipient baby.

Who receives the donated milk?

Those who are given breast milk are often premature babies and those with medical conditions that require special care, especially in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). For these vulnerable babies, the antibodies, immune system, and nutrients found in breast milk are critical to their growth and development. Additionally, depending on availability, some healthy, newborn babies receive donor breast milk while in the hospital until the birth parent’s milk is available. 2018 report in Breastfeeding medicine, found that many fertility clinics in the USA use donor milk in this way to increase the rate of exclusive breastfeeding.

How to donate breast milk to a milk bank:

To donate your breast milk, it is best to contact your local milk bank. They will explain their point of view and their support. Many ways to display it appears something like this:

• Preview: A representative of the milk bank will ask about your health, medical history, medications, and use of herbal remedies, as well as your use of drugs, tobacco, and alcohol. They will also discuss how much breast milk you are considering donating (as some milk banks have minimum requirements) and more.
• Blood test: All potential breast milk donors should be tested for HIV, syphilis, Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 (HTLV), hepatitis B, and hepatitis C, all of which can be transmitted to the baby through breast milk.
• Collecting and storing breast milk: When accepting donations, the milk bank will provide detailed instructions on safe pumping and storage of your milk. You will be advised to store breast milk in sterile containers, such as breast milk storage bags or bags provided directly by the milk bank, and freeze your breast milk.
• Using your own frozen milk: If you want to donate from your frozen milk, you should check with the nearest bank if it is within the acceptable days.
• Sending breast milk to the bank: If you live near a milk bank, you may be able to hand-deliver your donation and they may be able to give you instructions on how to send your milk safely.

Milk banks in Australia:

In Australia, some hospitals have set up their own milk banks and there are national banks that distribute breast milk to those in need. Australian Red Cross Lifeblood Milk Bank is one of these that works hard to collect, process, and distribute donated milk to hospitals and NICUs across the country.

Did you know: In 2023, 395 mothers donated 4,815 liters of breast milk to help thousands of premature babies.

If you want to learn more about giving milk head to Australian Red Cross Lifeblood Milk Bank.