Donor Milk 101: What Parents Should Know

Jayme Lindsey
Jul 12
3 min read

When breastfeeding doesn’t go as planned—or when families simply need a little extra support—donor milk can be a safe and nurturing option. Whether it’s used short-term during a NICU stay or longer-term at home, donor milk is an increasingly common supplement that honors the value of human milk while supporting unique feeding journeys.

In this post, we’ll break down what donor milk is, how it’s sourced, when it’s typically used, and how to safely access it—so you can make confident, informed choices for your baby.

What Is Donor Milk?

Donor milk is human milk that is donated by lactating individuals and provided to another baby, either through a milk bank or informal sharing network. It can serve as a temporary supplement or be a primary source of nutrition in certain medical situations.

Pasteurized donor human milk (PDHM) from accredited milk banks is screened, tested, and processed to ensure safety and nutritional quality. In most cases, it’s prioritized for medically fragile or premature infants, but some milk banks offer it for outpatient use as well.

Why Is Donor Milk Used?

Human milk provides unmatched nutrition and immune support, especially for vulnerable infants. When a parent’s own milk (often abbreviated as MOM—mother’s own milk) isn’t available or insufficient, donor milk is considered the next best option¹.

Common reasons families turn to donor milk include:

Premature birth or NICU hospitalization
Medical complications or surgeries that delay milk supply
Low supply due to hormonal conditions or previous breast surgeries
Infant feeding challenges such as poor latch or oral ties
Adoption, surrogacy, or induced lactation journeys

Some families use donor milk temporarily while establishing their own supply—others may use it longer-term.

Is It Safe?

Yes—when obtained through a regulated source, donor milk is very safe. Accredited milk banks (like those under the Human Milk Banking Association of North America, or HMBANA) follow rigorous screening, testing, and pasteurization protocols.

Here’s what that process includes²:

Health screening of all donors, similar to blood donation
Blood testing for infectious diseases
Review of medications and lifestyle factors
Holder pasteurization to kill pathogens while retaining many immune benefits
Bacterial testing of milk batches before distribution

Parents can feel confident that milk from an accredited bank has been thoroughly vetted.

What About Peer-to-Peer Milk Sharing?

Some families choose to source donor milk directly from another parent—through friends, social media, or platforms like Eats on Feets or Human Milk 4 Human Babies. This is called peer-to-peer milk sharing.

While peer sharing can be meaningful and community-based, it doesn’t offer the same safety oversight as banked milk. Families who pursue this route should carefully consider risks and openly discuss:

Lifestyle and medical history
Medication and supplement use
Milk handling and storage practices³

If you're considering peer sharing, an IBCLC can help you ask the right questions and weigh the pros and cons.

How Do I Access Donor Milk?

💡 From a Milk Bank:

Most milk banks require a healthcare provider’s prescription or documentation of need. Some offer small outpatient quantities for short-term use, often for a fee.

In Connecticut, you can reach out to:

Mothers’ Milk Bank Northeast (milkbankne.org)
Connecticut Human Milk Exchange (drop-off locations and info: milkbankne.org/ct)

💡 Through Your Hospital or NICU:

NICUs often have donor milk readily available and covered by insurance when medically necessary.

💡 Through Insurance or Medicaid:

Some insurance plans may cover donor milk for outpatient use with documentation of medical necessity. Check with your provider or reach out to The Lactation Network (TLN info here) to learn about your options.

What If I Want to Become a Donor?

That’s amazing! Most milk banks are always looking for healthy lactating parents with surplus milk. If you’re interested in donating:

You typically need at least 100–150 ounces of stored milk
Your baby must be under a certain age
You’ll undergo a health screening and lab testing

Visit milkbankne.org/donate to learn more and apply.

Final Thoughts

Donor milk is a gift of nourishment, love, and connection. Whether you're using it temporarily while establishing your own supply, relying on it for longer-term support, or donating to help others—your choices are valid, supported, and deserving of respect.

If you’re exploring donor milk or have questions about supplementing, I’d be honored to support you. I offer virtual visits across the U.S. and in-home lactation care in the Greater Hartford, CT area.

📍 Schedule your consult📍 Check if your insurance covers visits through TLN

📚 References

American Academy of Pediatrics. Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk. Pediatrics. 2012;129(3):e827–41.
Human Milk Banking Association of North America. Guidelines for the Establishment and Operation of a Donor Human Milk Bank. 2022. https://www.hmbana.org
Gribble KD. Peer-to-peer milk sharing: a comprehensive review of the peer-reviewed literature. J Hum Lact. 2020;36(4):673–86.