Milk Sharing vs. Milk Banks

We created MilkShare to educate women about alternatives to receiving banked milk. MilkShare serves only as an educational resource and connection point designed to give mothers who are unable to produce their own milk with some tools to explore private milk donation. MilkShare does NOT support the selling of breastmilk. We also are committed to ensuring that mothers who can make their own milk, do so. If you are a mother who is lactating and you simply feel or know that you aren't producing enough, please read our page on making more milk. Milk banks may be a good option for mothers who qualify for insurance reimbursement or for mothers who can afford the expensives costs of banked milk ($100+/day). Certain mothers may qualify for this option, especially for infants who require breastmilk to thrive, and it is easier to get milk from a bank that has already screened their donors and pastuerized the milk, though the overall pros and cons of pasteurization is highly debated.

For the rest of us, fortunately there are other options! Numerous breastfeeding women are willing to graciously offer their extra milk supply to your child(ren). The key is finding those women and we hope that our site will serve as a portal to locate both donors and recipients alike. The vast majority of babies have some allergy to baby formulas and there is simply no question that breastmilk provides superior nutritional value. If you choose to engage in private milk donation, we believe that it can be done just as safely as with milk banks. Do your research, know your donors (have them tested), have a pediatrician who supports your choice and will help you to screen your donors. Never chance putting your child at risk. There is a smart way to share milk and it is worth the effort involved.