Breastfeeding women who have extra milk that their infants don’t require can think about giving it to a milk bank. Read on to learn more about donating breast milk.

For newborns who do not have access to their mothers’ milk, donor breast milk is clinically advised. Preemies and babies with medical conditions benefit most from donor breast milk. Consider giving the extra milk to a bank if you are making more than your baby needs. Other infants whose moms may not be able to nurse them due to various circumstances would greatly benefit from this donated milk.

The regional medical advisor for NeoLacta Lifesciences, Dr. Vanessa Mascarenhas, Pharm. D., states that the risks of not expressing milk might raise those of blocked ducts, mastitis, and even breast cancer. If you have any questions about how often to express the breast milk that your baby doesn’t need, please speak with your lactation consultant.

How And Where May Breast Milk Be Donated?

While the procedure may vary somewhat from one milk bank to the next, authorised banks should generally follow this procedure.

• For pre-screening, get in touch with the milk bank. A series of inquiries will be made of you to learn more about you, your child, your overall health, and the amount of milk you are able to contribute.
• Fill out the donation paperwork. To establish your eligibility, you will be asked questions about your present health, medical history, way of life, and usage of medications.
• Get your blood tested. HIV, hepatitis B, C, HTLV, and syphilis screenings are performed on potential donors. You will get instructions from the milk bank on how to have your blood drawn, and the test will be free of charge.
• Obtain donor approval. Your eligibility to donate milk will be determined after your paperwork and bloodwork have been examined.

• Share your milk safely. The bank will provide you with advice on how to collect milk in a clean, safe manner, including how to properly wash your hands, clean your pump and pump parts, and where to keep the milk after collection.
• The necessary bottles for storing expressed milk securely in your freezer will be provided by the milk banks.
• Donating doesn’t always need going to a milk bank. While you continue to donate from the comfort of your home, some organisations will even arrange for free pick-up.

Who May Give Their Breast Milk?

Mothers of newborns in intensive care units, mothers of infants who have died but are willing to contribute their milk, nursing hospital workers, and driven mothers in the community. Please be aware that the contributors are not being compensated for their gifts; they are making them simply out of philanthropic motives.

Who Is Ineligible For Breast Milk Donation?

Mothers who have HIV, Hepatitis B or C, or Syphilis are prohibited from donating their breast milk since these conditions can be transmitted through breast milk. Also ineligible are women who could be using illicit drugs, drinking alcohol, smoking, or doing any of these things while nursing.

In the end, if you are generating more milk than your baby can ingest, think about giving it to help other infants who are in need. According to Dr. Mascarenhas, this will give you a great sense of pleasure knowing that something you would have thrown away is being used for good.