Did you build up a stash of breast milk and now have more than you can use? You might be able to help another family! Keep reading to learn how to donate breast milk in your area!
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What To Do With All That Extra Breast Milk?
I started pumping at about four weeks postpartum to build my freezer “stash.” It became almost an obsession to squeeze out those last few drops after each nursing session, or to fit in a pump during my baby’s longest sleep stretch.
Little by little, I filled up our freezer with carefully measured and dated storage bags. Even as my stockpile grew, I still fretted that it wouldn’t be enough in case of “emergency.” So I pumped and pumped.
When my daughter was six months old, I left my full-time job to be a stay at home mom. We really had no need anymore for expressed milk other than the occasional dinner out, but still I pumped “just in case.”
However, the baby had ideas of her own. She decided that bottles were lame and she wasn’t going to use them. Ever. At all. Again.
Finally I decided that it was pointless to continue pumping at all and gave myself a break. I packed up my special bag and bottles for the last time, and I can’t say that I was very sad about it! (I might have done a little happy dance…) But now what to do with all that milk just sitting in our freezer??
I have maybe 150 ounces give or take — not a ton (I wasn’t a crazy overproducer), but definitely enough that I don’t want to see it go to waste. So I started to do a little research to see what the options are. Where can you donate breast milk? Or can you sell it?
Here’s what I found…
My breast milk bottles stashed away…for good?
Where Can I Donate Breast Milk?
The following are four of the most legitimate ways to donate breast milk. Some have screening processes, some take a more DIY approach.
1. Donate to a Local Hospital
Hospitals are always in need of donor milk for premature babies in the NICU. Mothers of preemies often struggle more to produce milk, whether it be due to the early birth, stress from the situation, or separation from their baby.
Breast milk has been shown to drastically reduce the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (source), a condition that is more common (and life-threatening) in preemies.
Donating to a hospital usually requires a little work on your end: a thorough screening process and blood test, but you can rest assured that your milk will truly be helping babies in need.
2. Find a Local Milk Bank
Reputable milk banks follow standards set by the Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA). The donation process is similar to that of a hospital, as many hospitals use milk banks as their source(s).
This way, you can be sure that your donated milk will be going to babies that really need it. Find a milk bank in your area by visiting the HMBANA website.
3. Help a Friend or Neighbor
A very close friend of mine was a major overproducer while she was nursing her daughter and very quickly accumulated a large excess of pumped milk.
It turns out that a co-worker was struggling to breastfeed her own child, so my friend gave much of her extra milk to her co-worker so she could supplement with real breast milk instead of formula.
Obviously, not everyone will have a situation like this, but what a great feeling to actually help someone you know!
4. Donate Online to a Milk Sharing Website
There are online forums that offer a place for parents looking to donate extra breast milk to connect with those searching for it.
From what I can tell, the intentions are good, though there is no way to 100% guarantee that your milk is actually going to a baby (as opposed to being used for other purposes or resold for profit).
This may be an easier way to donate, as there is no screening process, blood tests, etc.– but again, no guarantees. These forums merely serve as a way to connect.
Can You Sell Breast Milk?
Online breast milk classifieds have popped up as a way for mothers with extra milk to sell to those who are looking to buy. One such example is onlythebreast.com — though I have not personally used this platform.
How it works: you set the price (usually from $1-$5 per ounce) and potential buyers contact you. However, it seemed that there were WAY more people looking to sell than buy, so I’m not sure how viable this option really is.
Again, there is no 100% guarantee that your milk will actually be going to a baby in need.
We’ve all seen articles telling moms to “make extra cash selling liquid gold,” but the jury is out on whether or not this is a legitimate or realistic option.
If you don’t personally know someone in need, the best bet is probably to contact your local hospital or milk bank. The screening and tests are done at no cost to you– all that is required is your time and willingness to get pricked to draw blood.
Have any of you donated breast milk before? Where and how did you do so and what advice do you have for other moms looking to make good use of their “stash?”
More Breastfeeding Resources
- How to Find Free Breastfeeding Resources
- 11 Ways to Increase Milk Supply
- Must-Have Breastfeeding Accessories for New Moms
- How to Get a Breastfed Baby to Take a Bottle
- What Your Doctor Won’t Tell You About Breastfeeding
- 5 Ways to Bond with Your Baby While Breastfeeding
- Weaning a Toddler
- Everything You Need to Know About Pumping at Work
- The Startling Breastfeeding Statistic You Need to Know
Originally published May 7, 2015; Updated September 8, 2020
**Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional– this is post reflects my own research and opinions on the subject of breast milk donation. Always do your own research and/or consult your physician first.
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Eventual Momma says
I’m interested to know how you built up such a good supply? I am supposed to have surgery after the little guy comes and ultimately would like to have a large enough stash built up that I can have the surgery and then stop breast feeding all together at around 6-7 months but continue to feed breast milk until 1 year.
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
I definitely didn’t have enough saved up for that long…probably only a little over a week if that was all she was eating! But I’ve heard of some moms who have been able to pump over a thousand ounces! I didn’t pump at all the first month because she basically nursed around the clock, but when I did start I would pump after each feeding (getting maybe half an ounce at a time) and I created an “extra” pump session after Annabelle went to bed (she slept 4-5 hours in her first stretch) where I could get 2-3 ounces. I wasn’t religious about pumping after every feeding, but if I was in your situation I would have been. My other issue was that I went back to work and sometimes she ate three bottles while I was only able to pump twice. It’s a lot of work but it can be done. Good luck and feel free to ask any other questions you think of!
Laura says
My son nursed every 2 hours when he was first born. He weight 10lbs so he was always hungry. As he got older the time between nursing got longer but I would still pumped if we happen to missed a time slot. I too was returning to work and wanted him to have breast milk…Really couldn’t afford formula at the time. You will be surprise on how much milk you will produce as long as the body thinks it is needed….so keep on pumping and you should be able to build a supply.
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
Such great advice Laura! Pumping is a lot of extra work, but it definitely can help keep your body producing if you’re consistent. Thank you for sharing!
Robin m says
I have 740 ounces in my deep freeze and put away about 15 ounces a day in the freezer with plenty left fresh for the next day. I work nights bitshe only eats maybe two 3 ounce bottles while I’m gone . soon she will go to the babysitter during the day so I can sleep (right now she sleeps enough during the day I can get my rest) and that stash with start to be used.
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
Awesome Robin! That’s an amazing stash! 🙂
Danielle Yingst says
I just donated my milk with “Eats on Feets” which is a facebook page that connects parents in need. No minimum amount required. Thought I would leave it here so others know about this option.
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
Thank you for the tip Danielle!