Milk of human kindness

Q. Who can donate milk?
A. So, can any breastfeeding mother be a milk donor? Yes, providing you don't smoke or use illegal drugs. All potential donors have to be tested for infections that may be passed on through the milk (see below). You don't need to produce a freezer-full, either. 'Every drop counts,' says Gillian Weaver. 'Small or sick babies benefit from even the smallest quantities of breast milk. Premature babies will often start with less than 20ml per day. One ounce of milk will feed a tiny premature baby for a day.'

Most mothers prefer to wait until they and their baby are confidently breastfeeding before they begin to express for the milk bank, although it's fine to start sooner if you have a large surplus of milk in the early weeks. Then you can continue for as long as you wish.

Q. Why is donor milk pooled?
A. There are several advantages. First, milk may not always be provided in the volumes needed. Secondly, because breast milk changes with every feed, and from the beginning to the end of every feed, pooling the milk means that it retains an average consistency of all the nutritional components.

Q. My wife doesn't want to breastfeed but I am keen that our baby gets the best start in life. Can our baby receive donor milk?
A. Milk banks are there to supply babies with a clinical need. At present, UK milk banks simply don't have the resources to supply milk for healthy, full-term babies.

Q. What health checks do donors undergo?
A. Breast milk donors are tested for HIV, hepatitis B and C, HTVL I and II (Human T-cell leukaemia viruses - rare in the UK), and syphilis. Donors are also required not to smoke, drink more than two units of alcohol a day, take drugs or consume excessive caffeine. All donated milk is also heat-treated (pasteurised) for extra safety.

Q. Will I get paid to donate milk?
A. Donors are not paid, primarily so that the banks can trust that the primary motive of the donor is to assist sick babies.

For more details send an SAE to Gillian Weaver, Milk Bank Manager, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Du Can Road, London W12 0HS.