"Breastmilk for Sale"

February is one of several "sweeps" months where all the television stations drum up the most ridiculous/fear-driven/infotainment stories they can to get your attention, and then promo the heck out of it. One particular promo caught my attention and I thought I would pass it along in case any mamas might be interested in watching it. Tonight, KATU Channel 2 is doing a sweeps special called "Breastmilk for Sale." According to their promo, they are going to uncover the possible horrific dangers involved with using breastmilk that is donated to milk banks. The promo was very slanted, so I am curious to see if they cover the various reasons why many women use donated milk supplies, or even how women can go about getting more info.

This whole topic, I must admit, is very new to me. I had never heard about milk banks until this post on Urban Mamas. I tend to lean toward the "whatever works best for each mama" philosophy, but apparently there are as many people out there who have strong opposition to the idea that a mama would use another mama's milk (regardless of what their specific situation is) as there are strong activists for the cause.  Check out the story sometime during their 11p.m. newscast tonight on Channel  2 if you are interested. 

Comments

[Christie]

Silly, isn't it? This no sharing milk thing...
We give donor BLOOD to people for heaven's sake. It saves lives. And so to, does breastmilk.
In a preemie, it can literally mean the difference between life and death. That is generally what donor (pastaurized) milk is used for.
So sad that this is shocking to the good folks of our fine culture.

[Terra]

No doubt breastmilk is best for your baby. If you cannot or choose not to breastfeed why not get the milk from someone else? I was fortunate enough to have a friend who gave birth 4 days before me and was kind enough to pump enough milk for my baby when she was 2 weeks old. My baby had breast milk jaundice and I had to stop. She was more than happy to give me her breastmilk.

[Viktoria]

If humans will flock to the grocery store to purchase the milk from an entire other mammal (a cow!) and think nothing of it, then they are nutty to think that a human baby could be harmed by drinking another human baby's milk. Genetics have nothing to do with tolerance, as we can nurse adopted babies too.
Humans are the only critter on the earth that drink milk past infancy and from another mammal. I would say that logic has been replaced by social rules.
silly silly people.
if you got it, sell it!

[Amanda]

I agree with Viktoria. If you have milk to sell for the use of an infant whose mother cannot or will not provide it for them then more power to you. I have many friends who would have loved to breastfeed their babies but could not produce enough milk due to health issues. I am currently looking into selling my own milk so that their are less infants in this world that are deprived of the benefits of breastfeeding. If you are a parent of a child that needs breastmilk feel free to contact me and we can work out the details- mommy-amanda@hotmail.com . Also if you are a mother that could not produce enough milk for your child, don't feel bad. You can still experience the bonding that breastfeeding creates by buying an S-and-S system that will allow your child to suckle at the breast while getting breastmilk (or formula) through a tube.

[nutritiousmilk]

I’ve got milk to sell.I am 27 years old, mother of three Who where all premature.So I do understand the need for a mother's breast milk.They are all very healthy and my youngest is now 3 years old.I no longer breastfeed and haven't for awhile, but I was blessed to have the experience and now know the very need of breast milk and so continue to help others.I am able to pump 40 ounce a day.I'm really looking to help one or two families.I do not drink or smoke or do drugs of any kind.I can ship frozen or fresh milk anywhere for $1.00-$1.50 per ounce plus shipping.I Have lots of milk Please e-mail me at nutritiousmilk@yahoo.com

[Anna]

I also have extra milk to sell. My son doesn't need as much as I am producing and I hate to see it wasted. I figure I could sell it for about $1-$1.50 an ounce plus buyer pays for shipping costs. It would be frozen and coming from Utah. if you live near Utah County we can arrange some kind of pick up, email me at humanmilk57@yahoo.com.

[Victoria]

Not sure if folks are aware, but HIV can be spread through breastmilk.

[Lea]

Victoria, testing for HIV is generally part of the arrangement between the donor and the recipient, paid for by the latter. Surprisingly, there is no milk bank in Portland for mamas and babies in need. Milk banks usually charge $4-$5 per oz., so many mamas find it much more cost effective to eliminate the middle man and make their own testing arrangements.

[MILKING MOMMA]

I would like to sell my huge stock for frozen breast milk.

I am a 31 year old mother of a 4 month old baby boy. He weighed in at 9lbs 8 oz and has remained in the upper 90th percentiles since! I produce 40 oz + a day and he has already moved on to some solids.

I am a healthy, non smoker, non drinker who is disease free, after all I feed my own child this milk.

I was going to donate, however if they sell it why shouldn't I. I know that I am a trustworthy person and can be depended upon to provide your baby with healthy milk!

I can do blood testing and screening, at your expense. Questions or interview welcome..

$2 an ounce and you pay all shipping cost. I have over 600 ounces available. Serious takers only please, I want to do some good in the world! milkforsale76@yahoo.com

[Milking Mom]

My daughter is 5 months old and I have a ton of frozen breast milk, I would absolutely hate for it to go to waste. I will be more than happy to sell it for $1.50 an ounce plus the cost of shipping. Serious inquiries only, melbell115@aol.com. I will be more than happy to answer any questions, extremely healthy.

[Milking Mom]

My daughter is 5 months old and I have a ton of frozen breast milk, I would absolutely hate for it to go to waste. I will be more than happy to sell it for $1.50 an ounce plus the cost of shipping. Serious inquiries only, melbell115@aol.com. I will be more than happy to answer any questions, extremely healthy.

[Genesis]

Hi I'm adopting a child Baby due date is Feb 27,2008 and I was wondering how much you were selling the Breast milk ?

[Liz]

Breast milk is the best thing for a baby - medicine has told us that. The thing that people are worried about is the mom that decides to take drugs, drink, take prescriptions, or is infected with a disease transmittable through milk while donating or selling breast milk. While this is always a possibility it is hard for me to believe that a woman who has their own child would subject their child or anyone else's child to this sort of thing. I think that the majority of women who sell or donate their milk are just like most other momma's who have over pumped in an attempt to be bring up their milk supply or to be prepared for the unexpected and want someone to benefit from this precious resource. Maybe I am an optimist...

[lisa]

I have ozs and ozs of frozen and fresh breast milk for sale. My baby has more than enough and I am running out of storage space. I am a very healthy, no drinking/smoking, I want the best for my baby! D/D free no caffeine, taking nursing supplements. I live in CT, I will ship anywhere in US. Send email if you are interested.
wpoohgirl25@yahoo.com

[Xochitl Swierczynski]

I'm a 32 yera old woman who is drug free, smoke free, and caffeine free who is trying to sell my breastmilk. I am a mother of 4 and my newborn is already 11 months. I am selling an ounce for $2 and I live in Los Angeles, CA. Email me if you live locally and are interested in buying brestmilk. I also have formula for sale if interested.

[Lucille]

I have plenty of milk for sale.I was breastfeeding twins, but have recently weaned them and would love to help someone out.You can email me at bessiemilklady@gmail.com for questions.

[June]

I have milk for sale. I am a healthy mother of a newborn with plenty of supply. I am willing to take any health screen test at your cost. I am looking to help out a few familys. I am offering it at $2 an ounce plus shipping. I am willing to nego on pricing if someone wants to purchase a large amount or an ongoing amount. Please email me to discuss @ milk4saleutah@hotmail.com

[Karyn]

I am 30 years old and a mother of 3 my youngest is 2 months old and she is still breastfeeding. I am looking to sell my overstock of breast milk. I just had her 2 month checkup and she is in the 90th per. in her height and 95th per. in her weight. I have over 600 oz. of frozen breast milk and I am still producing an extra 36 oz. a day. I am a non smoker I do not drink alcohol or coffee. I am willing to take any test at your expense and you may talk to my doctor as well as my baby doctor if you have any other questions. I am willing to sell my milk at $1-$1.50 an oz. plus shipping and handeling please email me at kjvdd@msn.com if interested or if you have any other questions. Thanks

[Karyn]

I forgot to let you know that I am located in the Salt Lake City Utah area.

[Jessica]

I am 31 years old and the mother of a 6 month old. I make huge amounts of extra breast milk. My baby is very healthy and growing so fast. I am interested in selling my extra milk. I have about 2000 ounces to sell. I am healthy and disease free. I am able to show medical records or take any test at your expense. I do not drink, smoke or do drugs. If you have any questions please email me at pumpingmama@gamil.com. I am willing to sell for $2.00 an ounce for frozen plus shipping and $3.00 an ounce for fresh (local only). Thank you.

[anon]

honest question here, not trying to be rude... but i'm really curious. do people really pay this much for breast milk? it seems like $2 an ounce is about the going rate and there's just no way i could have afforded that! luckily i had plenty of milk, but if i hadn't i couldn't have afforded to buy it. really, i'm just curious...

[Holly]

I am a 35 year old mother of a 2 month old who is pumping and freezing a liter of breast milk a day. I would love to help another mom give her baby breast milk. I am willing tosell milk for $2/ ounce. I prefer to sell locally in the Nashville, TN area, but will ship at buyers cost. I am alcohol, drug and caffeine free and will take any tests requested at buyers cost. If you are interested or have questions contact me at milknmama35 @yahoo.com

[Sarah]

The above post seems a bit weird to me as I am selling only milk. I'm healthy and have nursed two children. Milk is for sale by the ounce and can be shipped overnight. Medicals can be provided. I do not smoke or drink. Please respond to mcfallsmccallum@aol.com for serious inquiries only.

[JAB]

I am a new mom of a very healthy 1 month old baby girl. I also am producing far more milk than she can drink.

It is ridiculous that the banks charge 4-5$ per ounce and the donors get nothing. Sperm donors get paid and do far less work, as do plasma donors. I am a full time college student so we could obviously use some extra income with a new little one, kudos to people who don’t.

I am allergic to cigarette smoke and have never done any drugs what do ever, I also do not drink. The only prescriptions I have ever taken were for antibiotics. I don't like soda or coffee so I don't drink any caffeine. My husband is a very serious aspiring tri-athlete, so we eat extremely healthy.

I would love to sell my excess milk. I can provide medical records and get any needed medical tests at the buyers cost, though my records would indicate I have never had/do not have any diseases. I have also been vaccinated for Hepatitis A AND B. I live in West Virginia.

Shipping method, price, and payment method are negotiable. Please e-mail me at sillypuppygames@yahoo.com if you are seriously interested. Long term relationship is very much preferred, as I said my daughter is 1 month old so I will be able to provide for quite some time.

I have seen men some places looking for pictures, videos, and what not... do not bother asking, the answer is NO.

[Sarah Altman]

I'm a mother of two healthy little boys. My newest family member is 6 months old and weighs in at around 17 lbs! All done exclusively breast feeding. I'd like to sell my milk for $3 an ounce locally in the Los Angeles area. I would consider a longer distance if recipient covers shipping and handling. I don't drink caffeine or alcohol or take any drugs. I'd be willing to answer any health questions. If you're interested, you can contact me directly at sarahaltmancasting@mac.com. Serious inquiries only.

[Theresa]

I am a 27 year olf female looking to sell brestmilk to unfourate mother who can not brest feed thier child. I am a non smoker and clean woman, I have a 3 year old and my son is 7 months. Please e-mail me @ thrs_chrchrkk@yahoo.com

[RJM]

I recently gave birth to a healthy baby girl, and have 1,000 ounces of frozen breast milk. The milk was pumped using sterile equipment and stored into sterile breast milk storage bags. It is fresh frozen milk that has been labeled with the date it was pumped and stored in a deep chest freezer.

I am a healthy 34 year old with two healthy girls. I do not smoke,drink,do drugs,no caffine and I limit my sugar intake.

The milk is available for sale at $2.00 an ounce. I can ship it packed frozen buyer is responsible for shipping charges. I live in Maryland for pick up, please e-mail if you have questions. missiondublin@verizon.net

[rebecca brocklehurst]

Hello i am a healthy young milky moma with extra milky milk to sell. My milky milk is very milky i often make milky mini milks for friends and family, it has rave reveiws from my bbqs and partys. I personally recomoned my milky milk on frosties and even boiled to make a deliocus cream cheese. Milky milk is available at a reasonable price and worth every penny for its scrumptions milky mlik texture. Requets to milk my breasts are considered to many applicants or perhaps straight from the teeet.
'milky milk good souce of calcium for your bones and teeth'

[Tony at Milagros]

I think the intent of the post and the conversation that was suppose to result would have been interesting.

A comment from someone about their experience purchasing breast milk from an a third party unknown to them or a milk bank would be interesting.

A comment from someone who has donated or sold their breastmilk - with why, how, etc. - would be compelling as well.

An opinion about whether or not breastmilk should be offered "for sale" by private parties would be welcome.

But "Breast milk for sale" ads? Man, it looks like craigslist needs to add a "lactation" section...especially in Utah...

In all seriousness, I would love to see commentary, discussion, or opinion on the selling or donating of breast milk as was the intent of this post...but please...no more classifieds.

Peace.

[Heather in Beaverton]

I have donated breastmilk several times to the Mothers milk bank in San Jose California.It was very easy.They pay to have you screened by a doctor and have bloodwork done and then they send you a pre paid cooler to overnight your breastmilk back to them. They pasturize it and sometimes ad more calories to it for the smallest premies who eat just a ml at a time and sell it to hospitals for just three dollars an ounce-less than the cost to pasturize. Be wary of a company called Prolacta-they set up store fronts,collect donated milk and then charge hospitals up to $45-an ounce!I have a hard time understanding why Mamas would charge others for their breastmilk-it seems like we should all help each other out when and where we can!