Do you have suggestions for addressing recipients?

This list is only a guide and does not imply that all of these questions will apply to you or that you should feel restricted from asking other questions.

  • How will my milk be used?
  • Are you or your baby being treated for any disease, infection, or disorder?
  • Are you or your baby taking medication?
  • Have you and your baby had recent blood work done?
  • Would you be willing to have blood work and/or a health screening done?1
  • Are you willing to cover the cost, if any, of donor blood screening?
  • Are you willing to provide bottles or bags for milk collection and storage?
  • Will the donation relationship be ongoing or one-time only?
  • How much milk are you expecting/hoping for?
  • Will you be supplementing with breastmilk substitutes or from another donor if needed?
  • How often and when will you be coming to pick up the milk?
  • Do you want all of the milk to be frozen? Would you want fresh, unfrozen milk?
  • Would you like your baby nursed by your donor when possible?
  • Are you familiar with safe handling techniques for breastmilk?
  • Are you educated in at-home heat-treating of breastmilk?
  • Do you have any concerns that need to be addressed or researched further?

Also, discuss what you’d like a donor to do with your milk if it will not (all) be used. Donor milk can be passed on to someone else but only with the contact info of the original donor (you) so that new recipients can contact you for their own screening purposes.

Next section: Handling breastmilk (for donors)

_______________

  1. Establishes a baseline of health for caregivers and donors, should baby ever become sick. Fairtrade of personal information. ↩︎