Informal Sharing of Breast Milk

Introduction

For a long time, people have been told that giving babies breast milk is the healthiest option. However, many parents choose not to do this for various reasons. Some parents cannot breastfeed because of health problems, while others choose not to for personal reasons. Even though doctors maintain that baby formula is good for babies, some parents think breast milk given by someone else is better. So, they opt for breastmilk that has been shared formally or informally by other breastfeeding mothers.

Formal milk banks play a vital role in providing donated breast milk to infants in need, particularly those who are premature, ill, or whose mothers are unable to breastfeed. These milk banks follow strict protocols for donor screening, milk collection, processing, and distribution. However, due to limited access and high costs, informal milk sharing has become an alternative means of acquiring breast milk.

What Is Informal Breastmilk Sharing?

Informal milk sharing means breastfeeding people share extra milk with others without using a regulated milk bank. It can happen between related people, friends, or on the internet. Informal breast milk sharing is also called peer-to-peer milk sharing. The scope of informal milk sharing remains largely undocumented, but recent research shows that informal breastmilk sharing is increasing. Informally shared breastmilk is usually unpasteurized or untreated. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) typically discourages informal breastmilk sharing, considering its various potential risks.

What Are the Risks Associated With Informal Milk Sharing?

There are various risk factors associated with informal milk sharing. Some of them are listed below:

• Contamination and Safety Concerns:

Informal milk sharing lacks standardized collection, storage, and handling procedures, increasing the risk of bacterial or viral contamination. Inadequate hygiene practices, improper storage, and transportation conditions can compromise the safety of shared milk.

• Inadequate Donor Screening:

Unlike formal milk banks, informal milk sharing often lacks thorough donor screening protocols. Donors may not undergo comprehensive health assessments, including testing for infectious diseases that could pose infant risks. Drugs, smoking, alcohol, medications, herbal products, or other things used by the donors may have the possibility of entering their breast milk.

• Lack of Standardized Protocols:

Informal milk sharing lacks clear guidelines for donors and recipients, leading to variations in milk quality and safety. Without standardized protocols, ensuring consistent testing, handling, and processing methods becomes challenging.

• Mixing or Adulteration:

Babies under one year old should only drink breast milk or formula. A study found that some breast milk bought online had cow's milk in it, which can be bad for babies. The people selling it might add cow's milk to make more money. It is hard for parents to know if the milk they buy online is real breast milk or has cow's milk mixed in. In some cases, breastmilk has also been diluted with water.

What Are the Benefits of Informal Breastmilk Sharing?

• Life-Saving in Emergencies:

Sometimes, when there is an emergency or if people live far away, giving babies breast milk from another person may be the only way to keep them alive if their mom is hurt, dead, or very sick.

• Potential Health Advantages for Infants:

Breast milk provides essential nutrients and immune factors that support infant growth and development. Informal milk sharing can offer these benefits to infants who might otherwise not have access to breast milk, potentially reducing the risk of allergies, infections, and other health conditions.

• Emotional Support for Donors and Recipients:

Informal milk sharing can create a sense of community and connection among breastfeeding individuals. It allows the donors to share their milk and help other infants while clearing feelings of guilt associated with excess milk production. Recipients may find comfort and support in knowing their child is receiving breast milk.

• Community-Building Aspects:

Informal milk sharing allows individuals to establish connections and discuss breastfeeding, parenting, and child health, contributing to unity and mutual assistance.

What Are the Different Modes Through Which Breastmilk Is Informally Shared?

Informal sharing of breast milk can occur through various modes depending on the preferences and circumstances of the individuals involved. Some common modes of informal breast milk sharing include

• Directly breastfeeding other babies in co-nursing, wet nursing, cross-feeding, etc.

• Direct exchange of breastmilk between the donor and the recipient.

• Local networks and communities.

• Peer-to-peer referrals.

• Milk-sharing events or exchanges.

• Informal milk-sharing support groups.

• Milk-sharing networks or websites. There are websites where people can share their milk with others who need it. These websites have rules to help people find each other. Many women are now sharing their breast milk through the internet.

• Illegal selling of breast milk has emerged on websites, owing to the great demand for breast milk. Some people sell extra milk online, even though it is not officially allowed. This method is unsafe; parents should not opt for such illegal approaches.

What Are the Factors That Parents Should Consider Before Informally Sharing Breastmilk?

Factors to be considered by a donor mother before sharing her breast milk

• If a woman is considering donating her breastmilk, she must be in good health and should not be consuming any medications, supplements, or herbs regularly.

• Sharing of breastmilk should be stopped temporarily if the donor is sick.

• Since the mother sometimes may be unaware of the presence of certain infections, she should be tested negative for hepatitis C, hepatitis B virus, HIV, or human T-cell leukemia virus type 1.

• Factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, drug use, and excessive caffeine intake should be avoided while sharing breast milk.

• The donor should use clean and sterile containers for expressing and storing milk. Proper refrigeration or freezing methods should be followed to maintain the milk's quality and safety.

• The donating mother should be prepared to answer questions about her health, lifestyle, and milk-handling practices.

• If a mother has extra breast milk, contacting a human milk bank is best. Milk banks check and collect milk from donors, remove harmful organisms, and mix the milk to ensure it is safe for babies to drink. The milk is given to babies who need it, especially premature babies in hospitals.

Factors Parents Should Be Aware of Before Opting for Informally Shared Breastmilk:

• Contamination is possible in human milk since it is a body fluid.

• Breast milk obtained through internet-sharing groups is not always safe and checked properly.

• Unpasteurized breast milk can contain harmful viruses or bacteria.

• It is better if the parents have complete knowledge regarding the donor's medical history, including past illnesses, vaccinations, and potential exposure to infectious diseases.

• Milk from milk banks is usually safer than informally shared breast milk.

Conclusion

Informal sharing of breast milk provides an alternative source of human milk for infants in need. While it offers potential benefits, there are also risks and ethical considerations that must be carefully evaluated. Factors such as donor health, milk handling practices, communication, and trust are crucial for parents considering sharing breast milk and donor mothers.