How does donor milk banking work?
HMBANA member milk banks all operate according to well-established and frequently updated guidelines that have been developed in consultation with infectious disease and quality control experts. Volunteer donors contact a milk bank that then screens the donor according to standards similar to those of blood banks. Volunteer donors do not receive any reimbursement or gifts for their participation – they donate their milk strictly for altruistic reasons. A thorough verbal questionnaire is used as a preliminary donor screening. If a donor is found to be acceptable after the verbal screening, then a blood test for HIV, Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus (HTLV), Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and syphilis is performed. If the mother is negative for these diseases, is a non-smoker, has no chronic disease or condition, and is not taking or using prescription, over-the-counter, or herbal preparations on a regular basis she is most likely acceptable (To see a list of donor exclusions, go to the HMBANA web
