A lot of women sell their breast milk for various reasons. Some, because they are overproducing breast milk or are experiencing what is medically known as ‘hyperlactation’, another group might sell because they want to make extra money, and some who just completed a surrogacy process simply do not want it to go to waste. Whatever motivates you to engage in this very safe experience, we will guide you through the safest way how to sell your breast milk and highlight a few milk banks that pay for breast milk.
Milk Banks that pay for Milk
- Mothers Milk Coop – This is an online platform that has gained large support from the women’s community in the US. They ensure quality breast milk is given to newborns whose mothers due to circumstances cannot breastfeed them. They buy from willing sellers and donate to newborns that require breast milk.
- Only The Breast – This website connects willing buyers to willing sellers. The sellers post an ad under the category of their breast milk, either 0 – 2 months, 2 – 6 months, and 6 – 12 months. Willing buyers would browse through the category they are interested in and make a purchase. Only the breast has a strict quality breast milk policy by ensuring a proper donor screening process. This has enabled them to maintain a quality standard by ensuring the breast milk is free from any form of contamination and making sure it would pose no harm to the newborn that will be fed.
Steps for How to Sell Your Breast Milk in a Milk Bank?
Seeking the right milk bank that suits your plan
There is a growing number of breast banks around you. Spend some time looking up milk banks in your vicinity to see the one that matches your preference. There is a need to engage in proper research on whichever milk bank you chose to help you understand their practices. Some milk banks do not pay donors, while some pay about $3 or less per ounce of milk. Some do not allow transport of breast milk donations, they only take on-site donations while some do. Your choice depends on which works for you.
Register in the milk bank you selected
Registration should be free in the milk bank. Although some banks will require that you first donate a stated amount of ounces as a means of registration. Register with correct information about you, your health history, habits, and many more. The registration can be done online, a telephone interview will be conducted next before the bank set an appointment for an in-depth screening exercise. This is at the expense of the milk bank. Donors are tested to determine if they are healthy and are not on any harmful drug or supplement.
Pass the screening and blood test
These milk banks do not take screening lightly because the obtained breast milk is supposed to be at an optimum level. This optimum level depicts breast milk that is less susceptible to viral or bacterial infection. To achieve an optimum level of quality, the screening process chunks out donors that use illegal drugs, donors that have been exposed to smoke, and donors that are currently regular alcohol consumers. Also, donors with health challenges such as Human Immuno Deficiency Virus (HIV), Syphilis, Hepatitis B or C are not accepted.
Adhere Strictly to the bank’s extraction and transport method
If the milk bank allows you to send your milk through the mail and it makes you comfortable, please feel free to do so but remember to adhere strictly to the instructions provided on the method. It is important to use a sterilized bag to store the extracted breast milk. You will most likely have to buy these bags yourself. Some banks make arrangements for delivery for you while some will let you pay for that.
Storage
It can be preserved for as long as six months if preserved in a freezer, and it lasts for only 4 to 5 days when preserved in a fridge. Donors should not include any form of preservatives in the bag as this may contain a substance allergic to some kids. After the donated breast milk has arrived at its location of consumption, it gets heated mildly to eliminate germs and increase its half-life. This process itself is called the ‘pasteurization process’.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The sale of breast milk is not yet completely regulated as the majority of known milk banks are operating non-profit. However, donors that have to sell their breast milk do so on website platforms such as Mothers Milk Coop and Only The Breast. Prospective sellers post ads for their milk and buyers directly have access to pick from a wide variety of options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my breast milk be sold to a milk bank?
Yes, your breast milk can be sold but they mostly refer to it as donating your milk because of the small $1-$3 per ounce compensation attached to it.
How long can I store my milk?
Breast milk can be stored for as long as 6 months if stored in a freezer.
Am I qualified?
A screening test is done for STI/STDs and other related diseases to ensure the breast milk is at an optimal level. This test is what will determine your qualification.
