Precaution that a family receiving breast milk can take:
Have the breastfeeding seller screened by blood-work tests like what is done at a milk bank. These would include HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis and Human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV). If your donor has been screened, make sure that the tests are current.
If the seller does not have recent test results available request for them to go get tested and provide you the results. A 3rd party donor screening/blood testing service is found at accesalabs.com , scroll down and choose
“Breast Milk Donor Screening, This panel is used to screen breast milk donors.”
Get a letter from the breast milk donor’s doctor that says that the seller’s milk will not risk the health to her child and is in good health.
Ask the seller for documents that show past health history, similar to what you would fill out at the doctors office or what donors would complete at milk banks.
Have the seller or receiver of breast milk pasteurize the milk
Studies have shown that unpasteurized milk may have bacteria . ALL MILK MUST BE PASTEURIZED BEFORE USE.
Please see our at home pasteurization tips..
Get to know your breast milk donor by talking with them about their lifestyle.
Talk with your breast milk seller about what they are doing proper hygiene when handling breast milk.
Talk with the seller about following all the terms and conditions of this site including not adding in any adulterations such as cow’s milk.