I am amazed that this question should even be asked.

Processed donor milk from thoroughly screened donors is available and
accessible in the US.  Unscreened unprocessed donor milk should not be an
option in the US.  The Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention have come out very strongly against the use
of unscreened unprocessed donor milk.  This is why the Human Milk Banking
Association of North America has guidelines and standards for operating a
donor human milk bank which include strict donor screening guidelines and
processing guidelines.

Informal sharing is fraught with liability issues for the "donor" as well
as for the LC or other health professional arranging such an exchange.
While you may think you "know someone really well" and would trust the
donor, do you really know the partner, or the partner's partners, etc. as
well.  There are women who think they know their partners really well, but
find out later that they haven't a clue about the double life their partner
has been leading.

The question is not whether it is preferable to use unscreened unprocessed
donor milk vs. nutramigen but whether it is preferable to use properly
processed and screened donor milk vs. unprocessed unscreened donor milk.
The answer is yes, properly processed and screened donor milk is always
preferable to 1) unscreened unprocessed donor milk and 2) manufactured
milks of various kinds, including nutramigen.  Formulas are at the bottom
of the WHO feeding hierarchy.

Since no one in this country is denied access to donor milk, the
need/desire for unscreened unprocessed donor milk should be seriously
questioned.

Lois D. W. Arnold, MPH, IBCLC
Executive Director
The Human Milk Banking Association of North America, Inc.
8 Jan Sebastian Way #13
Sandwich, MA 02563
888-232-8809 within the US; 508-888-4041; 508-888-8050 fax