Buying Breast Milk Online: A Risky Choice for Parents

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Here’s a surprising revelation: purchasing breast milk online from anonymous donors might not be the best option. Who would have thought that buying bodily fluids from a stranger on the internet could pose risks?

Safety Concerns

First and foremost, the major concern is safety. You have no way of knowing the health status of the person selling their milk. Why would any parent consider feeding their child something sourced from an unknown individual? On top of that, a recent study found that around ten percent of breast milk sold online is mixed with cow’s milk. Experts recommend avoiding cow’s milk for infants under one year due to its high concentrations of protein and minerals, which can put stress on a baby’s developing kidneys. This milk also lacks essential nutrients like iron and vitamin C, potentially leading to iron-deficiency anemia in some infants. It’s alarming that a significant portion of online breast milk samples contain something that should be off-limits to babies.

Marketplace Realities

After exploring a popular online breast milk marketplace, it’s hard to understand how any parent could feel secure buying milk this way. One site promotes its services with phrases like, “Buy, sell, or donate breast milk with our discreet classifieds system in a clean, safe and private way.” While it may be discreet and private, proving cleanliness and safety is another story.

Sellers on these platforms must agree to certain terms before listing their milk for sale, including pasteurization and adherence to so-called “best practices” for expressing, handling, and storing human milk. However, these are just guidelines, not requirements. It’s the buyer’s responsibility to request screening documents from sellers. Many advertisements claim to offer “safe, healthy” milk, but not all can substantiate these claims. A study cited by a major publication revealed that three-fourths of online breast milk samples contained harmful bacteria, including salmonella. The researcher of the study stated that obtaining milk through such channels is neither safe nor recommended.

Consider Safer Alternatives

It appears some parents are taking the “breast is best” mantra too far. While it’s understandable for mothers to feel stressed about milk supply, choosing to buy online instead of opting for a screened breast milk bank—where milk is tested for safety—might lead to unnecessary risks.

Let’s apply some common sense here and consider safer alternatives. For more information on home insemination and related topics, check out our post here. If you’re looking for reliable resources, this link offers excellent guidance on pregnancy and home insemination. Additionally, you can find more about safe home insemination kits here.

Summary

Purchasing breast milk online from anonymous sellers poses significant risks, including potential contamination and the mixing of cow’s milk, which can be harmful to infants. Parents are encouraged to use screened breast milk banks instead of relying on unverified sources.