FAQs - Questions Asked by Donors and Recipient Families, UKAMB

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions for Donors

Do I need to be screened to become a donor?

Yes, our screening is very similar to the Blood Transfusion Service. We ask you to fill out a consent form and health and lifestyle questionnaire. All milk banks operate slightly differently so some may email or post this to you. We also ask you to get tested for HIV, Hepatits B and C, Syphylis and HTLV. Your local milk bank will provide guidance on how and when to have these tests. We can’t use the bloods you had taken in the antenatal period.

Many milk banks are actively engaged in research and will include this on the consent form. This helps improve care and our understanding of breast milk and its use. Only milk that is unsuitable for clinical use to feed babies will be used for this purpose.

Can I donate if I have had the COVID vaccine?

Yes, all the COVID vaccines are safe to have while breastfeeding and for donation.

Do I need to collect a minimum amount

As screening costs to complete, most milk banks will suggest a minimum donation. However, this is only a guide.

Do I need to drop my milk off?

Most milk banks have volunteers who support the transportation of milk across the UK. Your local milk bank will arrange collection with your local volunteers.

Can I store my milk in breast milk bags?

Breast milk bags are not ideal for collecting milk for donation. The milk bank will provide you with pre-sterilised single-use bottles. They will also provide you with instructions for safely expressing, labeling, and storing your milk at home.

Can I donate after loss?

Yes, the screening process is the same and we are happy to support you in your choices. We don’t ask for a minimum donation in this circumstance.

Can I donate if I am a surrogate?

It is preferable that you provide milk for the family for who you have been the surrogate. However, not all families will agree to this, and in this circumstance discuss with your local milk bank.

Can I donate colostrum I stored before my baby was born?

Most milk banks will support this as part of the donation and will discuss this with you.

What age does my baby need to be and how long can I donate for?

Milk banks vary in the UK and you are best to discuss this with your local milk bank.

How do I express my milk?

You can express by hand, hand pump or electric pump. Milk collected by Hakka-type pumps is not acceptable and neither is drip milk collected from the breast while your baby feeds from the other breast. Whatever way you collect your milk, the most important thing is hand and equipment hygiene. Your local milk bank will advise you on this.

What if I need some breastfeeding advice or support?

All milk banks should be able to offer you advice or signpost you to support organisations.

What if I am taking regular medication?

There are some medication and herbal remedies that are not acceptable for donation. You should discuss this with your local milk bank. You can also look at our section on Medication and Donation or look at https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/drugs-factsheets/.

What if I have been told I can’t donate blood, can I donate breast milk?

It depends on the reason for you being unable to be a blood donor. The rules for milk donation are slightly different and your local milk bank or UKAMB can advise.

Frequently Asked Questions for Recipient Families

Is donor milk safe?

All milk banks follow guidelines for screening donors and the milk itself. We pasteurise the milk to eradicate any unwanted bacteria and it and will convey many health benefits to your baby over formula. For preterm and sick babies, donor milk is the next best option where mother’s milk is insufficient or not available as advised by the World Health Organisation.

How can my baby get donor breast milk?

Most sick and preterm babies will be able to access donor breast milk in the Neonatal Unit or Paediatric Unit where they are receiving care. However, there are differences across the UK and you should discuss this with the medical team who are caring for your baby. For babies being cared for in the community, some milk banks are able to support the provision of donor breast milk. Contact your local milk bank to check.

Do I need to pay for the milk?

No. Parents are not charged for milk; the provision of donor breast milk is completely free as part of the hospital treatment.

For babies receiving donor milk at home, in consultation with a health professional, there are different funding processes, but parents do not pay. Please discuss this with the milk bank providing the milk.

How long can my baby receive donor milk?

This will vary on the reason your baby needs donor milk and the supply within your local milk bank.

If I am at home and my baby is receiving donor milk, will I need to collect it?

Most milk banks have a network of volunteers who can deliver the milk to your home.

We are of the Muslim faith and concerned about milk kinship – can you advise?

Not all milk banks will be able to confidently provide you with reassurance around the tracking of donor milk. In the UK it is the responsibility of the receiving hospital to store this information. Currently, we do not have a way of managing this but we are working with the Muslim community to develop a strategy to support the use of donor milk where the family is concerned about milk kinship. For now, this should be discussed with your local milk bank. There is a statement from the Muslim Council of Britain which you can access here.

SPONSORS

UKAMB supports non-profit milk banks by assisting them to fully implement NICE Guideline and to provide safe, screened human donor milk, fully track and trace compliance across the UK and Ireland. UKAMB also recognizes the responsibility and duty of care of milk banks in ensuring donors, donor's infants and recipients are protected from harm by donating or receiving donor human milk.