Some benefits are:

• Normalizes breastmilk as the primary food source for babies, wet-nursing, and the sharing of breastmilk

• Rapid response in acute situations

• Affordable

• Control of the pasteurization process

• Likelihood of obtaining age-specific milk if desired

• Opportunity to meet donor(s) and verify lifestyle and health habits

• Provides parental and caretaker autonomy

• Builds community with other parents and caretakers

• In some cultures: extends family to include ‘milk-brothers and -sisters’

• Key placement of those whose knowledge, assistance and networks could be imperative during a state of emergency

Community-based milksharing can be done safely and has advantages over milk banks.

Families can get to know each other and form lifetime bonds. They can screen each other directly and more thoroughly; they can pasteurize the milk themselves if they wish, and they can request milk particular to their situation, e.g. gluten-free.

When following the 4 Pillars of Safe Milksharing, families can put all the steps in place to practice safe community-based milksharing.

Yes, we do. You can find all the information you may need in our Resource Guide. This Resource is a searchable database with hundreds of full-length studies as references. It provides pasteurization information, lists suggested steps and questions for donors and recipients, and covers many other topics that one may encounter when milksharing.

It is best to follow the recommended safe social networking guidelines.

Successful milksharing relationships between donors and recipients are based on mutual understanding, transparency, informed choice, and respect. This process is best started by corresponding via messages on the Forum and then talking over the phone.

Part of safe networking includes keeping your location and any information that could disclose your location, such as digitally uploaded photos, off-line. Once mutual screening has happened, both parties may decide to meet somewhere publicly for further acquainting.

If for any reason, you do not feel comfortable pursuing or continuing a donor/recipient relationship, you are always free to withdraw from it, regardless of the situation.

If undesired contact keeps occurring, please let us know so we can help.

Trust your gut feeling!

Yes!

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