Every year in Ontario, approximately 1,500 infants are born at low birth weight. These infants benefit most from their own parent’s milk, but many of these very fragile hospitalized infants cannot get enough.
About seven out of 10 preterm infants in Ontario hospitals do not have access to a full supply of their parent’s milk. Pasteurized human milk is a safe and healthy choice when a parent’s own milk is unavailable or in short supply. The Canadian Paediatric Society recommends donor milk as an alternative to formula.
Why donate human milk?
Donor milk can significantly reduce the rate of life-threatening complications, like necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a serious bowel condition common in preterm infants. Studies show that donor human milk can reduce the rate of NEC by almost half.
Donor milk is easier for infants to digest than formula and contains natural components, such as enzymes and hormones, that help preterm infants grow and stay healthy. For more than 1,500 fragile hospitalized infants in Ontario hospitals each year, donor human milk can help lower the risk of serious medical complications.
Canada’s human milk banks rely on the generosity of donors. Milk banking is a common practice around the world and is endorsed by leading health organizations, including the Canadian Paediatric Society, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization.
Who can donate?
Review the eligibility criteria for becoming a human milk donor.
Our donor screening form will help determine whether you are eligible to donate. Your eligibility will be confirmed during your screening call with our lactation coordinators. Any current or recent medications will also be reviewed to see whether they are acceptable for donation.
General health criteria:
- You must be in good general health and be nursing a baby who is under 18 months of age
- Bereaved donors or those who have experienced a late miscarriage or stillbirth, who meet eligibility criteria and choose to pump milk in honour of their baby, are accepted
- You must be free from smoking, illegal drug use and regular alcohol use
- You must be able to have your health-care provider complete a medical history form on your behalf
You may not be able to donate your milk if:
- You are at risk for or have tested positive for HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), HTLV (human T-lymphotropic virus), hepatitis B or C, or syphilis
- You have used illegal drugs
- You or your partner has had tattoos in the past six months
Milk donation at a glance
Donating human milk is a significant commitment. Your support helps give fragile preterm infants a fighting chance. Here’s how the process works:
Step 1: Review the eligibility requirements to see if you qualify and have at least five to 10 litres (about 165 to 330 ounces) of milk to donate
Step 2: Complete the general health screening and fill out the donor screening form
Step 3: Complete a brief 20- to 25-minute screening call with our lactation coordinators to review your form
Step 4: Provide a medical history form for yourself from a health-care provider
Step 5: Have a blood test done at a LifeLabs location
Step 6: Receive official notice from the Milk Bank that you are approved as a donor
Step 7: Receive your Milk Bank shipping kit by courier
Step 8: Package your milk for shipping and request a pickup by courier arranged by the Milk Bank
Human milk donation: Frequently asked questions
Open AllYes. If you are screened and approved as a Milk Bank donor, you can use your own pump at home. You may also use a pump you used before as a Milk Bank donor. Make sure you replace previously used tubing or parts that come into contact with milk.
The Milk Bank asks for at least five to 10 litres (about 165 to 330 ounces). We welcome more if you are able and follow our storage guidelines.
If you feel sick, please email the Milk Bank. We will help you decide whether to keep donating or temporarily pause (defer) your donations.
You can take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) if needed. The small amount that passes into your milk is safe for donation.
Some cold and flu medicines, cough syrups and other over-the-counter medicines may mean you need to defer donating your milk. Please let the Milk Bank know about any new medicines you are taking.
Yes. You can donate milk right after getting a COVID-19 or flu vaccine. There is no deferral period. If you have questions, please email the Milk Bank after you have been vaccinated.