Milk Bank Health Resources

Donating

Pasteurized donor milk is provided to babies who need it the most. A prescription from a doctor, registered midwife or nurse practitioner is required for use at home.

We appreciate the effort and support every one of our donors gives to the milk bank. ​

Please review our Provincial Milk Bank web page for information about donating milk. Each donor must complete a screening process before we can accept and use their milk.  

Even though your milk is perfect for your own baby, certain things can disqualify you as a donor. The most common reasons for disqualification are:
  • Taking certain medications. The list of exclusions varies over time based on current research. It currently includes, but is not limited to, antidepressants and galactagogues (medications that increase milk production). We accept donations from people taking human insulin, thyroid replacement hormones, progestin-only birth control pills, nasal sprays, topical treatments, eye drops, iron or vitamins (at regular doses) 
  • Smoking or use of tobacco products 
  • Testing positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV), hepatitis B or C, or syphilis 
  • High risk for HIV (either you or your partner)
  • Illegal drug use in the last few years
Collecting and storing
Follow the instructions below to keep your milk free of contaminants and safe for other babies.
  • Find one time during the day to express for milk donation. This helps you maintain your milk supply and keep comfortable.
  • Wash your hands well before you pump or express milk. Dry your hands with a clean paper towel.
  • Express milk by hand, hand pump or electric pump. Use clean equipment. 
    • Rinse used parts with cool water. Wash all pump parts in hot, soapy water (dish soap works well) and rinse well with hot water.
    • Dry with a clean paper towel or a clean unused towel, or leave to air dry. Store dry equipment in a new zip lock bag (used only for this purpose).
    • Disinfect clean pump parts at least once daily by boiling for two minutes or washing in the top rack of the dishwasher, or using a steam bag or steam cleaner designed for infant feeding equipment.
  • Refrigerate your milk as soon as possible in one of the following:
    • Clean, rigid plastic bottles with lids made for storing human milk.
    • Milk storage bags laid flat (check prices online as they vary).
  • Do not touch inside the clean container or clean lids.
    • Use a new container each time you express milk. Do not layer or pool milk (do not add to a bottle that you have already expressed milk into).
    • Allow 1 inch of space in containers as milk expands when it freezes.
    • Please note we cannot return bottles or containers to you.
  • Use a permanent marker and mark your name, date of expression and amount of milk (oz or ml) on the flap of the milk bag or on a sticky tape that you place on the milk container. Do not write directly on the milk container.
  • Freeze within 24 hours. For most consistent temperature, store milk at back of your freezer.
    • Human milk can be kept in a refrigerator freezer that keeps ice cream solidly frozen for up to 6 months and in a deep freezer for 12 months. Please note it is important to send to the milk bank as soon as possible, as milk we process expires one year from the date pumped.
  • If you are unsure about storing milk, save it, but note your question on the container(s). Notify the milk bank immediately regarding any changes in your health, health behaviour or risk factors for disease.
    • Wait to pump milk for 12 hours after drinking alcohol.
  • Call the Provincial Milk Bank at BC Women's Hospital to ask about donating your milk if: 
    • Your baby or someone in your household is sick.
    • You have developed mastitis or a yeast infection on your nipples, your baby has thrush, or you have a fever blister.
    •  You need to take a medication not discussed when you were screened.
    • You get vaccinated.
    • You or your partner gets a tattoo.
    • You have any other questions.
  • You may wish to keep expressing your milk until your questions are answered. This maintains your supply and keeps your breasts comfortable.
Receiving donor milk
​Pasteurized donor milk is provided to babies who need it the most. A prescription from a doctor, registered midwife or​ nurse practitioner is required for use at home.​

Storage and preparation

It is important to store pasteurized milk in a freezer until it is used. Milk can be stored in a fridge freezer with a separate door for 6 months or in a deep freezer for 12 months.

How to prepare frozen milk:

  • It is best to thaw milk in the refrigerator, which can take about 12 hours. Once thawed, do not refreeze milk.
  • Milk that was previously frozen can be kept in the fridge for up to 48 hours.
  • It is normal for human milk that has been frozen and thawed to smell different to fresh milk and contain while flecks.
  • If your baby does not need the whole bottle at a feeding, avoid wasting milk by keeping the main container of milk in the fridge, and feeding your baby an ounce or two at a time from a separate container such as a cup or a bottle.

How to thaw milk quickly:

  • Tighten the cap on the bottle of milk and hold the bottle under a lukewarm running tap water, or
  • Stand the bottle of milk in a cup of warm water (not hot water). The water level should not touch the bottle cap.
  • Never microwave or heat milk directly on stove.

After thawing:

  • ​Tighten the cap on the bottle.
  • Shake the bottle gently so that the fat mixes with the milk.
  • Unless your baby needs the whole bottle, pour a serving into a separate container.
  • Warm the milk to room temperature immediately before feeding.
  • If your baby does not finish the warmed milk at that feeding, throw it out (do not reuse).

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