Some benefits are:

• Normalizes breastmilk as the primary food source for babies, wet-nursing, and the sharing of breastmilk
• Rapid response in acute situations
• Affordable¹
• Control of the pasteurization process
• Likelihood of obtaining age-specific milk if desired²
• Opportunity to meet donor(s) and verify lifestyle and health habits
• Provides parental autonomy
• Builds community with other parents
• In some cultures: extends family to include ‘milk-brothers and -sisters’³
• Key placement of those whose knowledge, assistance, and networks could be imperative during a state of emergency⁴

Next: Are there risks to using donor milk?

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1. Eats on Feets does not support or approve of the selling of breastmilk on its network. ↩︎
2. See Can I receive milk from a donor whose baby is not the same age as mine? ↩︎
3. According to Islamic law, two babies breastfed by the same milk-providing parent automatically become Mahram (unmarriageable kin). This prevents the use of mixed donor milk from milk banks as it would be impossible to know the family status. ↩︎
4. See Breastmilk in a state of emergency for more information. ↩︎