Renee, it is true that Muslim traditions re milk sibs are a barrier to "traditional" pooled milk banks.  However, I ran into something amazing a few years ago in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

An extraordinary woman arranged for "orphan" babies to receive donor milk directly from one mother each.  There was a "contract" that assured each family that the milk came from one mother exclusively and that there would be no further expectation from the donating mother/family and no future concern re marriage.  Even more amazing, many of the donating mothers developed a relationship with the baby for whom they pumped (but did not know) and went on to adopt the babies who received their milk.

The woman who made this happen was a La Leche League Leader and a community activist capable of moving mountains.  

While this model is logistically challenging in light of pooled milk banks, it does raise the bar for milk sharing.  When I expressed exactly how moved I was by her actions, the woman who moved mountains was surprised.  It was just one of the things she did in her world. 

Susan Johnson MFA, IBCLC
Salt Lake City, Utah USA


My experience in the Middle East though, was that (it is believed) women who
breastfeed another women's baby becomes that baby's "milk mother" and her
child and the child she breastfed can never marry.  I caused quite a stir when
I suggested a milk bank because donor milk is pooled and the record keeping
would (likely) be prohibitive. 

Renee (in Vancouver)

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