Breastfeeding has been one of the most transformative and challenging experiences of my life. From the moment my son, Lucas, was born, I found in breastfeeding a unique way to nourish and connect with him—but it was not always easy, especially when work required me to spend time away from him.
Traveling without my baby was one of the most difficult moments, as—due to logistical and climate-related issues—it meant facing the impossibility of preserving the milk I expressed during the trip. And although Lucas had enough milk stored at home, having to discard that milk left me with a mix of emotions: frustration, sadness, and the feeling of wasting something valuable.
Weeks later, the situation still lingered in my mind. My mother kept telling me there was no point in “crying over spilled milk,” and in a way, she was right: I had achieved my goal of maintaining exclusive breastfeeding, traveled for work, and avoided complications like mastitis. But the questions persisted: Would it have been possible to donate it? What is needed to do so? In what cases is it recommended?
Why Donate Breast Milk?
Breast milk is much more than just food: it is an irreplaceable source of nutrients, immune protection, and development for newborns. Numerous studies have shown that exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life is one of the most effective interventions to ensure babies’ survival and full development.
However, not all mothers who wish to breastfeed are able to do so. Some babies face medical conditions—such as cleft palate, low muscle tone, or a heart defect—premature births, or other situations that prevent direct breastfeeding. In these cases, donated human milk becomes a vital alternative. In fact, in countries like the United States and Canada, it is also used in contexts such as adoption, always prioritizing medical guidelines.
What Are Human Milk Banks and How Do They Work?
According to the Human Milk Banking Association of North America, a human milk bank is a center that collects, processes, screens, stores, and distributes donated breast milk to babies who need it under medical prescription.
The main objective of these centers is to provide human milk to hospitalized newborns who, for some reason, cannot receive it directly from their biological mother. There are currently around 700 human milk banks in more than 60 countries, with Brazil as a global leader. There, the first bank was created in 1943, and since then, an efficient, low-cost public network has been consolidated—recognized for its impact and sustainability—and has served as a model for the region.
In addition to collecting and distributing milk, these banks support women who face difficulties breastfeeding and ensure the quality of the milk through monitoring, preservation, and quality control processes.
What Is the Process for Donating Milk?
“Beginning to donate human milk requires completing certain steps,” explains Dr. Mariana Saccone, who, as a Family Physician and Breastfeeding Specialist, strongly advocates for human breastfeeding. “First, you must be breastfeeding a baby under one year old and present recent lab results that rule out transmissible infections, such as HIV or Hepatitis B. You also need a proper space for collecting and transporting the milk, which includes containers provided by the bank and strict hygiene measures. Additionally, family organization and communication with the donation center are key.” Dr. Saccone collaborated on the writing of this blog post not only through her clinical expertise, but also through her personal experience as an active milk donor.
According to the guidelines of the Human Milk Banking Association of North America, the process of donating human milk follows a rigorous protocol to ensure the safety of both the donor and the recipient (see figure):
Steps for Ensuring Safety in Human Milk Banking
Donating Breast Milk: A Personal and Collective Act
In today’s context, recognizing the importance of breastfeeding goes beyond the individual level: it also means understanding it as an act of connection, health, and well-being with a broader social impact. Promoting community initiatives and public policies that support the right to breastfeed and facilitate the donation of human milk is key to improving neonatal health.
From my experience, the expression “don’t cry over spilled milk” has taken on a new meaning: it is not just about accepting what has already happened, but about learning, questioning, and, when possible, acting to ensure future opportunities are not lost. Because sometimes, even a few ounces of milk can make all the difference.
This article is written in the first person and reflects the personal experience of its author. Its content does not necessarily represent the position or opinion of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
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