How to Buy Breastmilk

By now, most new parents know that breastmilk is better for babies than formula. But sometimes, due to adoption, surrogacy or medical issues with babies and mothers, it's impossible to produce breastmilk. However, you can still get breastmilk for your baby by purchasing it.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Talk to your pediatrician. You need a prescription to purchase breastmilk before you contact a milk bank. Most pediatricians are strong breastfeeding proponents and may have a breastmilk bank they recommend or have worked with in the past.

2. Contact one of the eleven human milk banks in North America (United States and Canada). These banks accept donated breastmilk from extremely carefully screened lactating mothers. The breastmilk is also pasteurized and tested for bacteria before selling. Human milk banks follow the guidelines for accepting and selling breastmilk from The Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBA).

3. Expect to pay about two to three dollars an ounce for breastmilk, though your insurance company may pick up a portion or all of that cost. While the cost may seem expensive, the cost pays for only a portion of the screening costs. Milk banks stay open due to donations and local fundraising groups. Speak to your insurance company to see if they will pay for the breastmilk.

4. Locate a wet nurse. Used primarily in the past, a wet nurse is a lactating woman who directly breastfeeds babies or pumps her milk for a specific baby. Wet nurses are difficult to find, and must be pre-screened. La Leche League has a list of wet nurses in your area, or your pediatrician may know of one.

5. Purchase breastmilk from a pre-screened mother, rather than a stranger, if you choose not to use a human milk bank. Breastmilk can carry a large variety of diseases including HIV and hepatitis that can be passed to your baby.

6. Speak to La Leche League if you're still uncertain of how to proceed. La Leche League may be able to refer you to a place to buy breastmilk.

Resources

• Contact La Leche League
• The Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBA) website

[xwheelerx]

on 10/28/2009 i am a paraplegic in central Alberta. Iam looking to purchase breast milk to help my immune system. Also i have a sore now that i've had since [e-mail]

[claritystatic]

on 10/12/2009 I am a healthy 24 year old first time mom. My baby is in the 75th percentile for weight. I have extra milk in my freezer, probably around 100-150 ounces that I am looking to sell for $1.50/ounce. I will gladly get any medical screening done at your cost. Contact me at [e-mail] with any questions or to purchase. Will sell locally (Idaho), or ship overnight to anywhere in the U.S.

[sweetmamamilk]

on 10/8/2009 I will pump and sell fresh breastmilk on demand. I have an oversupply of breastmilk and I am tired of soaking breastpads when the milk could be pumped and put to good use! $2 per oz. I am 29 and live on the West Coast. I am completely drug/drinking/caffeine free. I eat very healthy as I am also nursing my 4 week old daughter. I have two other children that were breastfed and they are very healthy. My son is 95th percentile in weight and height! Buyer is responsible for paying for overnight shipping by USPS (can be expensive but insures that the milk will be safe and unspoiled). I can accept payments thru Paypal. If interested you can contact me at [e-mail]

[mamacow123]

on 10/4/2009 I am a 30 and very healthy. I have between 20 and 30 ounces extra breast milk per day. I have two children. Both are very healthy and have hardly been sick. I have donated breast milk to the National Milk Bank in the past, however, they are currently not accepting milk. I passed all the screening to be a National Milk Bank donor. I live in Oregon. Please email me at [e-mail] if you are interested in my milk.

[rockinmom232]

on 10/2/2009 Need to sell extra breast milk in Wyoming!! I am willing to ship (UPS only) if necessary.

Email me at [e-mail] if you are interested. No questions asked.