Learn about donor breast milk options and safety
Families considering donor breast milk often face questions about safety, sourcing, and storage. This guide explains how milk banks screen and pasteurize milk, the risks of buying milk informally, key storage practices at home, and ways eligible lactating people can donate. It also compares access models used in different countries so readers can make informed, health-focused decisions.
Donor breast milk can be a vital option when a parent’s own milk is unavailable or insufficient, especially for premature or medically fragile infants. Understanding where donor milk comes from, how it is screened and processed, and what safe handling looks like helps families weigh choices confidently across different healthcare systems worldwide. This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized guidance and treatment.
Donor breast milk safety
Milk banks follow structured safety protocols designed to reduce infectious and handling risks. Donors typically complete detailed health questionnaires, provide medical clearances, and undergo serological testing for infections such as HIV, HTLV, hepatitis B and C, and syphilis. Expressed milk is stored frozen and transported under a maintained cold chain. Banks commonly use Holder pasteurization (approximately 62.5°C for 30 minutes), then culture samples post-pasteurization to ensure no bacterial growth before release. These layers of screening and processing, plus traceability and batch records, underpin donor breast milk safety in clinical and community settings.
Buy breast milk risks
Purchasing milk informally from individuals online or via social platforms is associated with higher risk. Without standardized screening, pasteurization, and verified storage, there is a greater chance of contamination, adulteration, or exposure to medications, alcohol, nicotine, or illicit substances. Shipping without temperature control can allow bacterial growth, and labeling may be incomplete or inaccurate. Many health authorities caution against unregulated sales because infant vulnerability is high, especially among preterm or immunocompromised babies. When donor milk is considered, regulated milk banks or hospital-affiliated programs are generally the safer channels.
Storing breast milk guidelines
Safe storage protects nutrients and limits bacterial growth. General home guidelines include: keep freshly expressed milk at room temperature for up to 4 hours; refrigerate at 4°C (39°F) for up to 4 days; freeze at −18°C (0°F) or below for up to 6 months (12 months in a deep freezer is acceptable if needed). Thaw frozen milk in the refrigerator or under cool running water, never in a microwave. Once thawed in the fridge, use within 24 hours and do not refreeze. Gently swirl rather than shake, label with date and time, and store in small portions to reduce waste. Follow specific instructions from your local program if you receive pasteurized donor milk, as handling steps can vary.
Pasteurized donor milk benefits
For many hospitalized and early-term infants, pasteurized donor human milk can support breastfeeding and infant nutrition goals when a parent’s own milk is limited. Research has linked donor milk use in neonatal care to lower rates of certain complications such as necrotizing enterocolitis in very preterm infants, improved feeding tolerance, and a bridge to exclusive human milk feeding when possible. Because pasteurization modestly reduces some bioactive components, clinicians often add human milk fortifiers for very low birth weight infants to meet growth needs. Outside the hospital, donor milk can also be a temporary support while lactation is established.
Human milk bank vs private sale
Human milk banks operate within healthcare standards and include donor screening, pasteurization, lot tracking, and temperature-controlled logistics. Access can be hospital-based or, in some regions, outpatient with a prescription. Private or peer-to-peer sales lack consistent safety steps and quality control, increasing risk. Costs vary by country and provider; many banks charge a processing fee per ounce, and in some systems inpatient milk is funded by hospitals or insurers. The overview below presents examples to illustrate access models and typical fees where publicly described.
| Product/Service | Provider | Cost Estimation |
|---|---|---|
| Pasteurized donor human milk (PDHM) | The New York Milk Bank (US) | Commonly a processing fee around US $4–$6 per oz; coverage varies by insurer and setting |
| Pasteurized donor human milk (PDHM) | Mothers’ Milk Bank at Austin (US) | Typically US $4–$6 per oz processing fee for outpatient supply; inpatient provision may be covered |
| Pasteurized donor human milk (PDHM) | NorthernStar Mothers Milk Bank (Canada) | Approx. CAD $4.50–$5.50 per oz processing fee for community distribution where available |
| Pasteurized donor human milk (PDHM) | Hearts Milk Bank, Human Milk Foundation (UK) | Provided to hospitals when clinically indicated; outpatient provision assessed case-by-case; fees/donations vary |
| Pasteurized donor human milk (PDHM) | Australian Red Cross Lifeblood Milk (Australia) | Supplied to hospitals; no direct retail pricing to families |
| Informal donor milk (unpasteurized) | Peer-to-peer networks (informal) | Often free or negotiated; no standardized screening or pasteurization; significant safety risks |
Prices, rates, or cost estimates mentioned in this article are based on the latest available information but may change over time. Independent research is advised before making financial decisions.
How to donate breast milk
If you produce more milk than your infant needs, donating can support vulnerable babies. Most milk banks seek healthy, non-smoking donors who are not using certain medications or herbal supplements and who can meet screening requirements. Expect a health questionnaire, consent forms, and blood tests similar to those described above. Banks provide instructions for hygienic expression, labeling, freezing, and either drop-off or courier pickup with insulated shipping. Donations are typically altruistic; compensation is uncommon. If a milk bank is not available in your area, hospital neonatal units or public health agencies can advise on local services.
In summary, regulated milk banks offer screened, pasteurized donor milk with documented safety steps, while private buying carries avoidable risks from contamination and uncertain handling. For families balancing breastfeeding and infant nutrition, safe storage at home and clear communication with healthcare teams help tailor the right approach for each child’s needs and local context.