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Desperate mothers seek breastmilk donors on the internet
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by Suranee | June 9, 2009 at 04:15 am
236 views | 24 Recommendations | 9 comments
Mothers who are unable to breast feed their babies are now turning to the internet to look for breastmilk donors.
Desperate mothers who cannot breast feed are turning to a breast milk black market.
New mums who are unable to provide their own breast milk but are desperate to pass on the health benefits are advertising for breast milk donors on black markets.
But there are risks involved said the News Limited newspapers. There is always a possibilty of illnesses including HIV and hepatitis being passed from the breastmilk to the infant.
News Limited newspapers say the trend is part of an international movement back to wet nursing for mothers who cannot naturally breastfeed.
Human breast milk contains antibodies that help prevent illness and may boost intelligence and resistance to allergies.
But mothers using unscreened breast milk risk passing on illnesses including HIV and hepatitis, the newspapers said.
Although the National Food Authority said they are not aware of regulations about the sale or exchange of breast milk, a bottle of breastmilk can be purchased online in the US for up to $1.90 for 20ml.
In the US, breast milk has sold online for up to $1.90 for 20ml.
The national Food Authority yesterday said it was unaware of regulations about the sale or exchange of the bodily fluid.
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Recommendations (24)
Amy Judd
Vancouver, Canada
jazzyzazzy
Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
Jordan Yerman
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
SamirJ
Vadodara, Gujarat, India
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (9)
at 06:34 on June 9th, 2009
I hate this idea absolutely stupid idea.
at 07:03 on June 9th, 2009
Sometimes desperation does make some people to do things that seem shocking to others. I feel sorry for these mothers. I had a friend who had the same problem but she bottle fed her baby. I doubt she would have advertised online looking for a breast feeding donor for her baby though.
at 11:05 on June 9th, 2009
how about human-milk cheese & other dairy products for adult consumption???
"I'll take a pound of organic human cheese, please!"
at 12:25 on June 9th, 2009
I would never feed my baby someone elses' breast milk - how awful.
at 12:45 on June 9th, 2009
What if it would save your baby's life? It has saved many lives or prolonged the enevitable. I donated breastmilk to preemies and sick babies for years. Every time I had a baby, I pumped, froze and donated.
at 20:06 on June 9th, 2009
That's great you donated breast milk Susie Johnson. I know I would do the same if it was to help another baby who is in urgent need of breast milk but I would only do so after the necessary medical tests have been done to confirm that I would not be passing on any illnesses to the baby.
at 20:02 on June 9th, 2009
I wouldn't either Amy but I can't say that I disagree with what their doing. After all, these mothers feel their doing the right thing helping their babies get the breast milk which they can't give.
at 12:50 on June 9th, 2009
Let me add this: The breastmilk should be tested by the Red Cross or another organization and given free as a donation. There are organizations out there for the purpose of saving small children. Also, no one should be selling their milk and should be ashamed of theirselves if they are.
at 20:09 on June 9th, 2009
Sounds like a good suggestion Susie Johnson. And I do agree, no one should sell their milk.