Collecting, Storing and Transporting Human Milk

How to safely donate your milk and help vulnerable infants.

Thank you for choosing to donate your milk. Your generosity helps provide life-saving nutrition to hospitalized infants who need it most. We are grateful to have you as part of the Milk Bank community.

Properly collecting, storing and transporting your milk is crucial to preserving its quality and making sure it is safe for infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). On this page, you’ll find clear, step-by-step instructions to guide you through the donation process. If you have any questions or need help, our team is here to support you.

We are here to help

If you have any questions or need support at any stage — whether you are collecting, storing or shipping your milk — our team is here to help.

For donor support:

Email: donorscreening.milkbank@sinaihealth.ca

Phone: 416-586-4800 ext. 6246

We can help with:

• Questions about how your health, medications or vaccinations may affect donation

For shipping support:

Email: shipping.milkbank@sinaihealth.ca

We can help with:

• Packing instructions
• Arranging or rescheduling a courier pickup

Please reach out at any time. We are grateful for your commitment, and we are here to support you every step of the way.

Collecting your milk

Please remember that only screened and approved Milk Bank donors are eligible to donate milk. You can use your own pump at home to collect milk for donation.

Minimum donation guidelines

We ask that each donor provide at least five to 10 litres (165 to 330 ounces) of milk. If you can donate more, we will happily accept a larger amount within our storage guidelines.

Clean pumping technique

Before you pump

• Keep your fingernails short and wash your hands with soap and water for 20 to 30 seconds before handling your pump
  • If water is not available, use 70 per cent alcohol-based hand sanitizer first
• Gently wipe the nipples and areola, then the breast/chest, using a clean tissue moistened with your expressed milk to remove surface bacteria before pumping
• Avoid touching any parts of the pump that come into contact with milk after the pump has been sterilized

Pump and collect

• Pump and pour your milk into a clean container or bag meant for donor milk storage
• Leave 1 to 2 cm of space at the top of the container or bag to allow for expansion during freezing

Cleaning your pump

• Always follow the pump manufacturer’s cleaning instructions
• After each use, wash all pump parts that come into contact with milk with warm, soapy water and rinse them well
• Once per day, sterilize the parts that touch your breast/chest or milk by boiling them for five minutes or by using the top rack of a dishwasher with a “hot water boost” setting, if available
• If you pump two or more times per day, wash those parts in warm, soapy water after each session and rinse them well

Between sessions

• Dry the cleaned parts with a paper towel and store them in a sealed container or a resealable plastic bag between sessions
• Wipe the pump surface and the outside of the tubing with a bleach or antibacterial wipe at least once per day

Storing your milk

Storing your milk safely at home helps protect its quality and ensure your donation is ready for the infants you depend on it.

Approved storage containers

• Use only food-grade, BPA-free hard plastic containers or milk freezer storage bags for your donated milk
• Do not use zip-lock bags, sandwich bags or glass bottles, as these are not accepted for donation

Freezer guidelines

• We encourage all donors to store their expressed milk in a deep freezer (separate or chest freezer)
  • Milk can be stored for up to five and a half months in a deep freezer
  • Deep freezers are preferred because they stay colder and maintain a more consistent temperature
  • This helps keep the milk’s nutrients and components in better condition for longer
• You can also store your milk in a fridge-freezer (with a separate door) for up to two and a half months

Labelling your milk

Proper labelling helps us track your donation and make sure your milk is safe for the infants who will receive it.

• Apply your donor ID label (if provided) to each container or bag and add the pump date using ink or permanent marker
• If you do not have labels, write your name, donor number and the pump date in ink or permanent marker on each container or bag
• Avoid making any unnecessary marks on your containers or bags unless the Milk Bank team gives you different instructions
• For milk collected before contacting the Milk Bank, make sure your name or donor number and the pump date are clearly marked on every container or bag you send
• If multiple small containers or bags are placed inside a larger outer bag, label the large bag with your name or donor number
• If you are not sure whether to send a specific container or bag, contact the Milk Bank via email

Preparing milk for transport

The Milk Bank provides free shipping for all donated milk. Our team will coordinate shipping with you to make sure you have everything you need for a safe and successful shipment. All shipping materials will be provided and delivered by courier directly to your home.

Packing instructions

Follow these steps to make sure your milk stays frozen and arrives safely at the Milk Bank:

1. Inform the Milk Bank: Email us to let us know that you are ready to send your donation of at least five to 10 litres.
2. Complete your donor health update: Before scheduling a pickup, make sure you have completed a donor health update and confirmed that there have been no major changes to your health. The Milk Bank team will contact you directly to guide you through this step.
3. Arrange courier pickup: The Milk Bank team will work with you to confirm a courier pickup date. Because we coordinate donations from many donors, we organize our schedule to keep the process smooth and efficient. Shipments can be scheduled Monday to Thursday only. The Milk Bank is closed on weekends.
4. Receive additional shipping instructions: The Milk Bank team will tell you whether your donation will be shipped the same day or overnight. We will provide all the information you need. If overnight shipping is required, you can schedule a pickup time with the courier, and we will let you know which date you need to book. We will make every effort to accommodate your schedule and commitments.
5. Check your supplies: Your thermal-lined cardboard shipping kit from the Milk Bank includes:
   • Four gel packs
   • One large heavy-duty clear plastic bag
   • Two twist ties to close the plastic bag securely
   • Packing tape (beige)
   • Stickers
     • “Keep frozen” (if applicable)
     • H label (if applicable)
     • Liability (if applicable)
   • Return-paid shipping label (if applicable)
   • You will need to supply your own packing material (such as newspaper, kraft paper or tissue paper) to fill any empty spaces in the box. This helps keep the milk secure and insulated during transport so it stays frozen during shipping. During the summer months, we include a double thermal liner for added protection to keep your milk safe and frozen during shipping.
6. Freeze gel packs in advance: Place all four gel packs in your freezer at least 24 hours before shipping. Lay them flat so they freeze evenly.
7. Double-check that your milk is labelled: Make sure every container or bag is clearly labelled with:
   • Your donor name or donor number
   • The date the milk was pumped, including the year
8. Pack your box just before shipment:
   • Add crumpled packing paper to the bottom of the box
   • Place your frozen milk (in approved containers or bags) inside the large plastic bag provided
     • Pack the milk close together to help it stay frozen
   • Add the frozen gel packs around the milk — on the bottom, sides and top
   • Seal the plastic bag tightly, removing as much air as you can
   • Place the sealed bag in the box and fill any remaining space with more packing paper
   • Seal the foil liner by removing the adhesive strip, folding it and pressing it tightly around your milk
   • Close the box and seal it using the beige tape provided
9. Apply labels to the box (if applicable): Attach the return shipping label (over the original label), H label and liability sticker to the top of the box. Place “Keep frozen” stickers on all sides of the box. The Milk Bank team will inform you whether this step is needed.
10. Send us your donation: The courier will arrive during your selected time window to collect your shipment. Please be available at home during your scheduled pickup window to make sure collection goes smoothly.
    • Each shipping box can hold 10 litres or more, depending on your storage bags or containers. The more milk in the box, the better it stays cool during transport.