Linda said:
There is currently a "national shortage of milk" in all the milk banks.
And, conversely, there is a national increase in "mom to mom" informal milk
sharing.  So, at this point, we can only assume that the one is affecting
the other.  Linda Hill RN, IBCLC  Austin, Tx  (Board member Austin milk
bank)


I think that while that may be a logical assumption on your part, it may
nonetheless be far from the truth.  I would be hesitant to assume that
informal milk sharing is stealing donors from milk banks.  I get the sense
from the various internet chat boards I visit that many moms turn to sharing
milk when they find they have a large freezer stash, more than they need.
So this is after the fact (they didn't set out to donate ahead of time) and
their milk often isn't suitable for milk bank donation.  For instance, I
cannot donate to milk banks due to medication I take daily, but my milk was
welcomed by a baby whose mom had a mastectomy.  Milk with "safe" medication
can be donated informally but is unsuitable for preemies (is my
understanding).

I think that informal milk sharing and the recent publicity surrounding Eats
on Feets and Human Milk 4 Human Babies has, if anything, raised awareness of
the option of donor milk and the existance of milk banks, which ultimately
may well increase the donation to milk banks.

So before assuming that informal milk sharing is negatively impacting milk
banks, I think it needs further study; the opposite may be the case.

Spencer Joslin, MD, LLLL

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