Where to get Donor Breast Milk? Self-Reported Parental Motivations and Concerns Regarding the Choice of Informal Milk Sharing versus Milk Banks

Abstract

Introduction: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends exclusive breastfeeding prior to 6 months of age. However, many women are unable to produce enough milk to exclusively breastfeed their child and, thus, supplement infant diets with formula or donor breast milk (DBM). Though DBM is the ideal supplement to comply with AAP guidelines, it is often difficult for parents to obtain DBM safely from milk banks (MBs) and they are increasingly turning to informal “mother-to-mother” milk sharing (IMS) instead. Though this practice is discouraged by the AAP as it is potentially unsafe, few studies have …