Human milk
The human milk is the best food a baby can receive.
6 reasons to donate milk
-
There are babies who need it
Premature babies and those weighing less than 1,500 grams can 1 greatly benefit from this milk if their mother cannot breastfeed them
-
Save new lives
In general, breast milk can help significantly reduce the death of babies 2 with serious illnesses.
-
It is the best food for a baby
Breast milk is the best food a baby can receive, as it is 3 much more complete than any other alternative
-
It helps the digestive system
Breast milk is easy to digest, and not only can it help with intestinal recovery after surgery, it can also fight intestinal infections in babies.
-
It has an important immunological function
Milk contains nutrients and biological components that ensure growth and help the immune system of babies during their first years of life.
-
WHO recommends breastfeeding
The World Health Organization recommends exclusively breastfeeding the baby for the first six months of life, as it provides the necessary nutrients for growth.
How to become a milk donor
Requirements
You must be in good health and follow healthy habits.
Breastfeeding must be correctly established.
You should not suffer from chronic viral diseases such as human immunodeficiency or hepatitis B and C.
You should not take specific medication regularly or drugs, or consume drugs or other toxins.
You should not smoke regularly or have drunk recently.
Do you need more information to become a milk donor?
To donate milk, visit one of these hospitals or contact them:
Barcelona
Hospital del Mar - Parc Salut Mar
Pg. Marítim de la Barceloneta, 25 - 29 08003 Barcelona
Girona
Lleida
Tarragona
Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus
Av. Josep Laporte, 1, planta baixa, zona D (groga) 43205 Reus
If none of the centres we propose are close to your home, fill out the questionnaire and we will look for the best alternative that suits your needs.
From mother to baby: this is the process of donating milk
1. Contact the centres
Contact the Maternal Milk Bank or go to any fixed centre of the Blood and Tissue Bank. An appointment must be requested in advance.
2. Medical interview
In a medical interview, a professional from the Blood and Tissue Bank will help you answer a brief medical questionnaire and ask for your consent to take a blood sample to rule out certain diseases.
3. We'll explain how to do it
If the analyses are correct, they will explain how to extract the milk and how to store it until delivery. In addition, they will provide you with a breast pump and special containers to preserve it.
4. Before extraction
Prepare the necessary material for extraction, such as the sterile containers provided and follow hygiene measures.
5. During extraction
Place yourself in a calm environment where you can extract the milk in a relaxed manner. Open the package of sterile containers just at the time of extraction. We recommend filling each container only three-quarters of its capacity for proper freezing.
6. After extraction
Quickly close the container, label it with your name, surname, the quantity, and the date with a pen. Clean and sterilize the materials used.
7. Milk preservation
Always freeze the milk immediately after extraction, use a different container for each extraction even if it is not full, and do not open it again. Store the containers with milk inside the plastic bag with closure that we provide with the containers.
8. Contact us for collection
Contact the Maternal Milk Bank to arrange the collection at your home and, when they come, deliver the bags with the containers. Do not keep frozen milk for more than 4 weeks.
9. Distribution and delivery
The milk is distributed to hospitals, where it is given to premature babies who cannot be breastfed by their mother.