I hung back from answering this question, figuring someone in public health
would probably be able to give a practice-based perspective, but since no
one has tackled this topic, I feel compelled to weigh in with my NSHO.

The foster mother's plan to solicit unscreened donations is fraught with
*legal* risk to HER and I would not advise it.  Worst case scenario:  Say
that baby turns up HIV+ at some point in the future --  foster mom would not
be able to prove that it wasn't donor milk that exposed the infant, and
someone would find her liable.  Unfortunately I am sure it would be
impossible to get banked milk for this baby, and it is a shame to
contemplate having to give a baby the 4th-rate stuff, but I just don't see
any way to do this in our cultural / social services / health care climate.
I would guess that social services would (regrettably) peg the foster mom as
a nutcase.

I have heard numerous instances of foster moms breastfeeding their foster
charges, with and without the knowledge of the social services agency that
placed the baby.  The donor to recipient trail is shorter and easier to
follow and the mom can be screened - legal risk to mother is minimized.

Yes, I know there is physical risk to the infant from receiving formula -
I'm only talking about the legal stuff here.

Wish we could have human milk for all human babies.....

Mary Renard RN BSN IBCLC
Vienna Virginia  USA

             ***********************************************
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html