Is Donor Breast Milk Safe? Here's What You Need to Know Before Feeding It to Your Baby
Is donor breast milk safe for babies? A medical lecturer from a top university has asked mummies to think twice before accepting breast milk from other mums.
What are the benefits and disadvantages of donor breast milk? Is it safe? Does donor breast milk have antibodies? Can I mix it with my breast milk?
Is donor breast milk safe for babies? A medical lecturer from a top university has asked mums to think twice before accepting breast milk from other mums.
“Breast milk is like blood or an organ. It can transmit germs and diseases, which is why it needs to be screened before donation”, says, Professor Yong Poovorawan, paediatric hepatology professor at Chulalongkorn University Faculty of Medicine, Thailand.
His warning came after popular Thai influencer, Passavee “Numwan” Payacaboot, bragged on Instagram about giving away her excess breast milk to many mums.
Table of Contents
Is Donor Breast Milk Safe? Professor Gives Health Warning
In 2018, mums lined up for Numwan’s stash of breast milk ever since she posted about it.
“We have been giving away milk to mothers who don’t have enough to feed their own babies,” she said.
Apparently, she had spent about Bt1 million (S$42,000) on her donation campaign, which included buying storage bags and about 15 freezers!
A post shared by Passavee Payacaboot (@numwanz) on
“I would like to receive your milk. My niece was prematurely born and weighed only 1,600 grams. Her mother’s milk isn’t nearly enough,” commented one woman on her post. Numwan has more than 435,000 followers on Instagram.
Professor Yong however is unimpressed.
“It is really strange that we eulogise a mother who pumps her own milk and gives it away to other mothers. This shows that the society is not [medically] literate,” he wrote on his Facebook page.
View this post on Instagram
In spite of the warning, Numvan and her celebrity husband, Navin “Tar” Yavapolkul, have vowed to continue donating the excess milk.
Numvan even posted a picture of a baby who had been fed her breast milk with the hashtag, “checked before donation”.
“She is very healthy and as cute as my son Luca,” she wrote.
While hubby Navin revealed, “We are planning to collect milk from other mothers. We will match those in need with those with a milk excess. If the [medical] government agency wants to offer support, we are really pleased.”
The initiative might be well-intended, but mummies, did you know that there are numerous health risks involved?
Donor Breast Milk: Pros and Cons
Donor breast milk, a vital resource for many babies, comes with its share of benefits and disadvantages. Whether you’re considering it for your little one or simply curious, here’s a casual yet informative breakdown to help you make an informed decision.
What are the benefits of donor breast milk?
-
Nutrition and Immune Support: Donor breast milk is a rich source of essential nutrients, antibodies, and immune factors that can bolster your baby’s health, especially if they can’t receive their mother’s milk.
-
Short-Term Solution: It can be a temporary lifeline for preterm or ill infants, bridging the nutritional gap until a mother’s milk supply is established.
-
Breastfeeding Connection: It allows you to continue offering the benefits of breast milk even when breastfeeding isn’t possible.
-
Convenience: Donor milk can be a convenient feeding option, as it’s already expressed, pasteurized, and ready to use.
-
Safe Alternative: When sourced from certified milk banks, it undergoes stringent safety measures, including pasteurisation, making it a safer choice compared to other milk sources.
What are the benefits of donor breast milk?
-
Variability: Donor milk’s nutritional composition can vary between donors, potentially affecting consistency in feeding.
-
Cost: Obtaining donor milk from a reputable source can be expensive, especially if it’s not covered by insurance.
-
Limited Availability: Donor milk can be in limited supply, and accessing it may be challenging, particularly in certain regions.
-
Risk of Contamination: If obtained from unregulated sources, there is a risk of contamination and transmission of diseases.
-
Emotional Considerations: Some mothers may experience emotional challenges or concerns about not providing their milk directly to their baby.
Remember, the decision to use donor breast milk should be made after thorough consideration of your baby’s specific needs and circumstances.
Donor Breast Milk Health Risks
There is no doubt that breast milk is liquid gold. Breast milk reduces the risk of infections and allergies while improving blood pressure and bone density. But if you are looking for donor breast milk, it is always a better idea to make use of official breast milk banks for the following reasons:
-
Screening for infectious diseases
Donor mums would have to be tested for diseases like HIV, Hepatitis B and C, syphilis etc. As breast milk is a form of bodily secretion, such diseases can also be transmitted through the milk to the baby.
Channel NewsAsia quotes paediatrician and neonatologist with SBCC Baby and Child Clinic, Dr Natalie Epton, as saying that, the ideal donor mum should be, “a mother of a child who has not yet started on solid foods, where the milk is still at that level of immaturity that is similar to that of a newborn.”
And it goes without saying that donor mums should be non-smokers.
-
Pasteurisation to eliminate infectious organisms
Donors usually express milk at home and freeze it before taking it to the milk bank. This milk needs to be pasteurised at 62.5 degrees Celcius and tested for bacterial contamination before it is dispensed, and stored in safe conditions.
A small percentage of nutritional and immunological properties are destroyed by pasteurisation, but pasteurised milk still retains many of its beneficial properties.
Is donor breast milk safe?
Donor breast milk can be safe if collected and handled properly. Milk banks follow strict guidelines to ensure safety, including pasteurisation to kill any harmful bacteria. However, when acquiring donor milk privately, there can be risks.
Always make sure you’re getting milk from a reputable source, ideally from a certified milk bank, and be cautious when acquiring it through less regulated channels.
Does donor breast milk have antibodies?
Yes, donor breast milk can contain valuable antibodies. These antibodies help boost the recipient baby’s immune system and provide protection against various infections and diseases. Donor milk’s antibody content may vary, but it often offers these vital immune benefits, especially when sourced from reputable milk banks.
Can I mix my breast milk with donor breast milk?
Mixing your breast milk with donor milk is generally safe and can be beneficial. It can help increase your baby’s milk supply and provide a broader range of nutrients. Just be sure to follow proper storage and handling guidelines, ensuring that both your milk and the donor milk are safe for your baby.
However, consult with a healthcare professional or a lactation consultant to ensure it’s the right choice for your specific situation.
More Safety Tips for Feeding Your Baby Donor Breast Milk
Image Source: iStock
-
Source it from certified milk banks or reputable donors: Certified milk banks adhere to strict safety and quality standards. When obtaining donor milk from these banks, you can have confidence in its safety. If you’re considering private donors, thoroughly research their background, and ensure they follow proper hygiene and handling procedures.
-
Verify proper pasteurisation and handling: Pasteurisation is a critical step to eliminate potentially harmful bacteria in donor milk. Ensure that the milk has been pasteurised correctly to make it safe for your baby. Ask for documentation or confirmation from the milk bank or donor regarding pasteurisation procedures.
-
Check for donor health and lifestyle screening: Donor milk should ideally come from donors who are in good health and lead a healthy lifestyle. Reputable milk banks conduct thorough health screenings of their donors, including blood tests to check for infectious diseases. If using a private donor, inquire about their health history and lifestyle, and consider requesting medical records or certifications.
-
Store and handle the milk according to guidelines: Proper storage and handling are crucial to maintaining the safety and quality of donor milk. Follow guidelines for storage temperature, use-by dates, and thawing procedures. Avoid thawing and refreezing the milk, as this can compromise its nutritional value.
-
Consult with a healthcare professional or lactation consultant: Every baby is unique, and their nutritional needs may vary. Consulting with a healthcare professional or lactation consultant can help ensure that donor breast milk is the right choice for your baby and that it’s being used effectively. They can provide guidance on feeding schedules, the transition from donor milk to other feeds, and any potential concerns that may arise.
-
Build a relationship with the donor or milk bank: Establishing a good relationship with your donor or milk bank can provide additional assurance. Regular communication allows you to ask questions, discuss any concerns, and gain insight into the milk’s origin and quality.
Remember, the health and safety of your baby are of utmost importance. The decision to use donor breast milk should be made after thorough consideration of your baby’s specific needs and circumstances. These safety tips, along with guidance from healthcare professionals, can help you make informed decisions when using donor breast milk as part of your baby’s feeding plan.
Here at theAsianparent Singapore, it’s important for us to give information that is correct, significant, and timely. But this doesn’t serve as an alternative for medical advice or medical treatment. theAsianparent Singapore is not responsible for those that would choose to drink medicines based on information from our website. If you have any doubts, we recommend consulting your doctor for clearer information.