How to Feed With Processed Breast Milk

The FDA and Surgeon General believe that breast milk is the best food for babies.

Several non-profit breast milk donation organizations help women to find milk donors through the internet. The FDA, however, warns women against such methods of procuring donated breast milk. The concern is the lack of screening for the milk donors against possible disease or milk contamination. The FDA advises to use only milk from mothers who have been screened, and their milk processed to remove any possible contaminates.

Instructions

1. Consult your child's pediatrician. Your child's age and health will determine if using donated and processed breast milk is the best nutritional option.

2. Obtain a prescription for breast milk from your pediatrician or contact a milk bank that processes donated milk. The FDA recommends contacting the Human Milk Banking Association of North America for information on milk banks nearest to you.

3. Store donated processed milk in the freezer, but leave out enough milk for your baby to eat for that day. The amount to leave out depends on the age and size of your child. Your pediatrician can advise you on how much your baby should be eating in a day. Defrost this milk by slowly heating it in hot, but not boiling water.

4. Pour enough milk into a bottle for your baby to eat in one sitting. This amount also depends on your child's age and size.

Tips & Warnings

• Breast milk obtained from an internet source is not processed and should not be used.

References

• U.S. Food and Drug Administration; Use of Donor Human Milk; 2010
• Office of the Surgeon General; The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding; 2011

Resources

• Human Milk Banking Association of North America