Sharing breast milk has become increasingly common and raises safety questions

Interest in both formal milk banks and informal milk sharing has grown, and experts say donor milk can help when a mother cannot breastfeed. The FDA and milk bank associations discourage informal sharing, and the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine warns that online sales can pose safety risks.

Interest in sharing breast milk has risen over the past decade, both through established milk banks and informal networks among families. The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine said informal sharing had become increasingly common as families seek human milk. Experts note that human milk provides nutrition and immune protection tailored to an infant's needs and call a mother's own milk the most personalized option. Milk banks use donor screening, testing and pasteurization processes that are not part of most informal exchanges. Main facts: - Human milk is described by the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine as providing optimal nutrition and immune protection, and a mother's milk is considered personalized for her baby. - Standard milk bank procedures include donor screening for infectious diseases and substance use, testing of milk, pooling from donors, and pasteurization before distribution. - Storage guidance from the ABM notes frozen milk is safe for about three months but has diminished bioactivity and reduced fats, proteins and calories compared with fresh milk. - The FDA, the Human Milk Banking Association of North America, and the European Milk Bank Association discourage informal milk sharing outside milk banks. - The ABM warns that online sales of breast milk can be adulterated or arrive spoiled and that sellers may not fully disclose health histories or medication use. - Informal sharing is sometimes used in emergency situations, including community efforts to provide frozen milk when formal supplies are not available. Summary: Donor milk can provide important nutrition when a mother cannot breastfeed, and formal milk banks include screening and pasteurization; informal sharing and online sales carry additional safety concerns. Undetermined at this time.