Surrogate Milk Donations Help Babies Without Access to Parent’s Milk

When babies are born prematurely, are adopted, or their parent cannot produce milk due to medical complications, donor breast milk can make a life-changing difference. Surrogate milk donation is a compassionate, medically-backed act that helps ensure vulnerable infants receive the nutrients and immunity support that only human milk can offer.

Breast milk donations, particularly through surrogate programs, offer a vital lifeline to babies without access to their biological parent’s milk. Whether you're a surrogate mother with extra supply or simply a lactating parent who wants to help others, your milk can save lives.

Let’s break down how the process works, who can donate, what you can expect, and how this incredible act of giving is supported in the U.S.

Can I Give My Breast Milk to Another Baby?

Yes, you absolutely can — but there’s a safe, regulated process involved. In the U.S., milk donation is overseen by nonprofit milk banks (often under the Human Milk Banking Association of North America - HMBANA) and governed by medical and ethical guidelines to protect both donor and recipient.

Milk donation is not the same as informal sharing. Informal sharing happens peer-to-peer, but regulated donation involves medical screening and testing to ensure safety. This is especially critical for NICU babies or medically fragile infants who can’t handle any contamination or risks.

If you’re healthy, not using certain medications or substances, and producing more milk than your baby needs, you’re probably a good candidate. Surrogates often fit these criteria and can be incredible donors.

How the Donation Process Works

Step 1: Quick Telephone Interview

The first step is simple: a phone call. Milk banks or milk donation programs typically start the screening with a short telephone interview.

During this chat, a staff member will ask basic health questions like:

1. Are you currently healthy?
2. Do you smoke, drink, or use recreational drugs?
3. Are you taking any medications, herbs, or supplements?
4. Were you born or have you traveled to certain countries with health risks?

This step helps rule out immediate disqualifiers and determines if you're eligible to proceed to the next phase. It’s friendly, low-pressure, and takes less than 15 minutes.

Step 2: Complete Forms

If you pass the phone screening, you’ll move on to the paperwork stage.

You’ll fill out detailed forms that cover:

• Your medical history
• Pregnancy and birth details (including if you’re a surrogate)
• Dietary habits
• Any recent illnesses
• List of medications, vitamins, or supplements

Some forms will require a healthcare provider’s signature — either from your OB/GYN, pediatrician, or primary care provider — confirming your health status.

Step 3: Blood Test

Once your paperwork is approved, the milk bank will usually send you for a quick blood test — at no cost to you.

This test screens for:

• HIV
• Hepatitis B and C
• HTLV
• Syphilis

The blood draw is done at a local lab or clinic, and the results go directly to the milk bank. If all clear, you’re officially approved as a milk donor.

Do Milk Donors Get Paid?

Generally, no — milk donation through nonprofit banks is a voluntary act. You don’t get paid for the milk itself, and that’s intentional.

Why? Because the focus is on safety and altruism. Offering compensation might attract donors who don’t disclose important medical or lifestyle info, which can be dangerous for recipient babies.

However, some banks do reimburse for shipping supplies or offer tax deductions for expenses like breast pump parts or freezer storage.

Where and How Long Can I Donate Milk For?

You can donate milk across the U.S., usually by shipping frozen milk to regional milk banks.

Here’s how it works:

• Storage: You freeze milk in sterile containers (bags or bottles).
• Drop-off or Ship: Depending on the program, you either drop off the frozen milk locally or ship it with provided coolers and dry ice.
• Ongoing Donation: Once approved, you can usually donate for 6–12 months, sometimes longer, depending on supply and health status.

Donated milk is pasteurized, tested again, and tracked. It’s often prioritized for premature or medically fragile babies.

Why It Matters: Breast Milk as Medicine

For many babies, especially those in neonatal intensive care, donor milk isn’t just nutrition — it’s medicine.

It reduces risks of necrotizing enterocolitis (a serious intestinal disease), infections, and other complications. It supports growth, immunity, and even brain development.

Even one ounce can make a difference — and some donors contribute gallons over time.

Conclusion

Surrogate milk donation is one of the most selfless and impactful ways to help infants thrive — especially those without access to their own parent’s milk.

With a simple process, strict safety screening, and national infrastructure to support donation and distribution, more families can benefit from this unique gift.

Whether you're a surrogate mother, overproducing parent, or just want to help, your milk can literally save lives.

Ready to take the first step? Contact a milk bank in your region or learn more from official resources like:
NICHD - Breastfeeding Resources

You have the power to make a difference — one bottle at a time.