Donating Breast Milk: Eligibility, Process, and Safety Standards

Donor human milk saves lives—especially for preterm, very low birth weight infants. HMBANA-accredited milk banks ensure safety from donor to recipient.

Donor Eligibility (HMBANA Standards)

• Healthy lactating person <18 months postpartum (some accept longer).
• Negative serology: HIV, HTLV, Hepatitis B/C, Syphilis (initial + 6-month repeat).
• No tobacco, marijuana, illicit drugs; limited alcohol (<1.5 oz/day, wait 2 hours).
• No medications contraindicated (most OTC/prescription OK; check list).
• No herpes lesions on breast; no recent tattoos/piercings (6–12 month deferral).
• Willing to pump, label, freeze, and transport per protocol.

Donation Process

1. Screening: Phone interview → written questionnaire → blood draw (Quest/LabCorp partner).
2. Collection: Sterile containers (provided); label date/time/volume.
3. Storage: Freeze immediately (-20°C / -4°F); deep freeze preferred.
4. Transport: Cooler with dry ice/gel packs; drop-off or courier.
5. Processing: Pooling → Holder pasteurization (62.5°C, 30 min) → bacteriological testing → freeze → dispense.

Safety and Quality

• Pasteurization retains 70–90% immunoglobulins, lysozyme, oligosaccharides; inactivates HIV, CMV, bacteria.
• Post-pasteurization culture: zero tolerance.
• Nutrient analysis per batch.

Practical Tips for Donors

• Start pumping early (2–4 weeks) to establish oversupply.
• Pump 8–10 times/day initially; double electric pump recommended.
• Combine milk from same 24-hour period; chill before pooling.
• Thaw: fridge overnight or warm water bath. Never microwave.
• Track volume; many banks require 100–150 oz minimum.

Finding a Milk Bank

Visit HMBANA.org → "Find a Milk Bank." 31 North American nonprofit banks exist. Hospital-based programs also operate.

Donation is altruistic (unpaid); tax deduction for mileage/supplies possible. Recipients: NICUs, outpatient medically fragile infants.