Milk Donation Dilemma - Part V

The Cost of Donor Human Milk

In previous posts in this series, we've discussed some of the many impressions people have about donor human milk. Now, we'll visit another major concern about milk and if this concern is truly something to worry about - the cost of donor human milk.

Many mamas would love to give their baby human milk rather than supplement or entirely feed formula due to a number of reasons. Perhaps the baby has difficulty digesting the formula, maybe the mom prefers to feed breastmilk because it's safer for babies and allows them to grow to their full potential. Whatever the reason, a major drawback that moms mention is that milk obtained from a milk bank is very expensive. Depending on the source of the milk, this is a valid concern.

Human milk obtained from a milk bank can run around $4 per oz. That means that a baby that takes in 18 oz per day (the amount taken in by a 6.5 lb preemie as reported by Mothers' Milk Bank of Austin) will cost his or her parents over $2000 per month. That's not really pocket change. The cost of the milk in many cases isn't even a matter of wanting to gouge parents for all they are worth. Many milk banks like Mothers' Milk Bank are non-profit. The cost of milk covers the processing, donor support, staff, and bills. They don't make a profit so the price is set to cover costs, not make money. This can be incredibly burdensome for some parents as feeding 24-36 oz (the amount a bottle fed full term baby eats in about a day) could run a whopping $17,000-$25,000+ to exclusively feed their baby breastmilk for the first 6 months of life if obtained from a milk bank. And that's if they don't inadvertently overfeed their baby which is a serious risk for bottle fed babies. Granted, when they start introducing solids, the total intake of milk may decrease, therefore saving the parents money for the rest of the child's first year or as long as they choose to continue feeding breastmilk thereafter.

So, what's a parent to do if they can't provide all the breastmilk their baby requires, but still want to feed breastmilk? Well, certainly, if they can afford the cost, they may be able to obtain a prescription for the milk and pay for it themselves. Alternately, some insurance companies may help cover the costs, but this is much more likely in situations where the baby is in the NICU at which point, insurance companies may cut funding after the baby is sent home. However, there are babies that require a prescription because they can't handle formula for a medical reason and therefore insurance may still be an option. I'd assume these situations are few and far between, though I don't have the statistics on it to offer accurate numbers and factoids.

When milk obtained through a milk bank proves to be too expensive, moms have the option to obtain milk from mom-to-mom donations, or milk-sharing, the "black market" of breastmilk, if you will. Milk-sharing, is made possible through groups like Human Milk 4 Human Babies, Eats on Feets, and MilkShare which are organizations that help connect donor and recipient families and education people on "informal milk-sharing." Moms that are connected to donors through this avenue are not typically required to pay for the milk they receive, although, there are some that choose to charge moms for their time invested in pumping extra milk. Often recipient moms will offer to cover costs of supplies like pump part and attachment cleaning supplies and collection bags to help defray the costs that the donor must put forth in order to donate milk. Typically, these arrangements are agreed upon by the individuals involved, but usually, there is no requirement for payment. In the cases where the recipient pays or helps cover pumping costs, the amount is significantly less than a mom would pay for milk from a milk bank.

There is another option depending on your situation and where the milk is obtained. Some milk banks, like Mothers' Milk Bank of Austin, have programs for those in need. These programs help provide human milk to babies in the NICU regardless of a parents ability to pay if insurance doesn't cover it. Unfortunately, for this option, there has to be a need for the milk. Qualifying for the program may be limited as well.

The point then is this. Yes, donor human milk can be expensive if it is obtained from a milk bank. Fortunately, that's not the only option for moms hoping to supplement with or entirely feed donated human milk. Regardless of where the milk comes from, moms need to be aware of their options so they can research them and make the best decision for their family.

For more posts in this series visit:
Part I - The Importance of Breastmilk
Part II - The Availability of Donated Milk
Part III - Bodily Fluids
Part IV - Safety and Nutrient Content of Donated Milk

Milk Donation Dilemma - Part IV

Safety and Nutrient Content of Donated Milk

Continuing on with my forum post inquiring about whether or not non-nursing mamas considered or used donated milk, I saw this concern come up among one of the top concerns posed by moms. Many moms responded that they knew about milk donation but said they wouldn't take breastmilk from someone when they didn't know what that person's diet or medication habits were or what their disease status was. These all sound like very reasonable concerns, but let me try to calm some fears with rational thinking.

Breastfeeding is a conscious decision in most cases. A mom that breastfeeds their child is concerned about the well-being of the baby. It is unlikely that a mom who breastfeeds (or any mom for that matter) would want to do harm to her own child. Her breastmilk that is fed to her own baby is affected by her life decisions and disease status. The chances of her taking in something that could cause harm to her own child or nursing with a potentially harmful disease that could pass to her child are low.

But what about diet? Should a mom be concerned about the overall nutrient value of the milk she feeds her baby? Despite the low probability of a mom taking on medications that could harm the baby, diet is quite another thing. Not all moms eat well, even well meaning moms. Most of us fall into the habit of eating fast food once or more per week. Should this be a concern? It sounds logical, but surprisingly, the answer is, "No." The body has an amazing way of making sure that breastmilk has the appropriate amount of nutrients to grow a baby regardless of the diet of the mom. According to KellyMom, among other sources, the mother's own system is more likely to take a hit from nutritional deficiencies than her milk. Just like in pregnancy, the mother's body does all it can to provide for the baby, even if that means taking from the mom's own stores. Prenatal vitamins are for the health of the mom, not the growth of the baby. The same goes for breastfeeding. Eating well and ensuring proper nutrient intake while nursing helps the mom to stay healthy and put back into her body what is taken in the production of milk. This is one of the many reasons that in the third world it is not uncommon for young children to continue to nurse far beyond infancy because breastmilk is far more nutritious than the limited amount of food they may have access to. Regardless of the diet taken in by the mom, you can rest assured that the milk she donates is nutritious.

To add more fuel to the fire, despite the small possibility that a mom may take a medication that is not recommended during breastfeeding, it is important to think about the caliber of woman that pumps milk. A mom that pumps milk is so concerned about her own baby's health that she is wanting to provide her milk for her baby even when she is away. Either that or she's pumping to help her supply to be able to provide more of her own milk than supplement. Regardless of the main reason, a mom that pumps is doing so to ensure a successful breastfeeding relationship with her baby. That's how important it is to her. She is conscientious enough to pump and that concern is likely to affect other areas of her life in the decisions she makes about diet (even though it may not directly affect her milk) and the medications she takes. Pumping takes time and effort. No mom that pumps takes the activity lightly. This care and concern is passed along when a mom chooses to donate. Additionally, there are two types of donors - those that donate extra milk they can no longer use and those that pump extra for donation purposes. A mom that donates extra milk she has stored intended that milk for her own child but in finding she is unable to use it sees such a high value to that milk, that she won't just throw it away - that is how precious it is. A mom that pumps extra for donation is taking extra time out of her day that she may not otherwise take to pump for another person - someone who cares that much for another mom is only thinking of helping and supporting other moms and she will ensure the milk she donates is just as safe and healthful as the milk for her own child since her own child is nursing as well.

While illnesses and disease status may be of concern with donated milk, there are a few ways to address this possibility. An open an honest dialogue with a potential donor may present a situation that a recipient mom is not comfortable with;  however, as long a good communication is maintained, these concerns may be addressed and likely, through the donation process the moms will become friends and trust will be built. Another option is receiving milk from a milk bank where the milk has been screened and pasteurized. While some feel the pasteurization decreases nutrient content, the nutrient alteration is negligible and a recipient mom can rest assured that the milk is free from harmful bacteria (although, at the same time, it's free from beneficial bacteria as well, so that is something the mom needs to be aware of).

The bottom line, is that a mom that donates is likely a person of high standards of care for he own child and a very caring individual. She cares enough to nurse her own child and on top of that, pumps to either nurture her own child or help someone in need. Pumping and donating is not malicious or negligent. It is a true gift from a caring individual who values the gift as much as the mom who receives it.

For the next part in the series, click here: Part V - The Cost of Donor Human Milk

Please see other entries into this series Milk Donation Dilemma:
Part I - The Importance of Breastmilk
Part II - The Availability of Donated Milk
Part III - Bodily Fluids