Are you pumping as a surrogate? What can you do with the breast milk?
Many surrogates pump breast milk after their journey. They may do this for their own health and to provide “liquid gold” to babies in need. Sometimes they provide this milk for the baby they carried. Other times, this isn’t an option. Below, we have 5 options that surrogates have if they choose to pump after delivery.
Pumping for the Intended Parents
If both parties agree, a surrogate can provide breast milk for the baby or babies she carried. Pumping breast milk requires a lot of time and dedication, so it is expected that surrogates will be compensated. The exact terms for the arrangement are outlined in their gestational carrier agreement. Depending on the location of the surrogate and new parents, the milk may be shipped or local drop-offs may be arranged. Check out this video to see how Surrogate Anna prepped and packaged milk for the family she helped build!
Finding an independent arrangement for another family
At times, surrogates can find another family who is looking for someone to help supply milk for their baby(s). A family may be looking for breast milk for their baby(s) due to their own surrogacy journey, adoption, a medical condition, or low supply. There are many Facebook groups specific to milk donation that allow for these connections to be made.
Donating to a local milk bank
Many large healthcare systems have their own milk banks for their premature and newborn patients. In the Midwest, the Mother’s Milk Bank of Iowa at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital is one option. They have 25 drop-off locations throughout the state of Iowa, and several locations in surrounding states. With these donations, they were able to provide pasteurized milk to 56 hospitals in 12 states in 2019, as well as some being provided to infants at home.
The Northwest Mother’s Milk Bank is another option that serves the Pacific Northwest. They have over 40 drop-off sites throughout Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. They also provide pasteurized milk for vulnerable populations both in the hospital and after discharge. If you aren’t near either of these options, the Human Milk Banking Association of North America can help you find a location near you!
Donating to local parents
There are many ways to connect with local parents who may desire to feed their baby breast milk, but are unable to do so without some help. Local Facebook pages for groups such as Human Milk 4 Human Babies or Eats on Feets can connect people with milk to donate with local parents who need milk. No direct compensation is allowed through these pages. However, a surrogate can ask for milk storage bags to be replaced when donating.
Working with Preemies Milk Bank
The Preemies Milk Bank (PMB) at Prolacta Bioscience works specifically with surrogates. Surrogates who do not have an agreement to provide breast milk to their intended parents can be compensated for every qualified ounce donated. PMB uses that milk to create human milk nutritional product for critically ill infants. They provide education, compensation, and support to the surrogates they work with. They also take care of all of the necessary details for shipping milk from anywhere in the country.
At Heartland Surrogacy, our support of surrogates and new parents continues after the delivery day. In your surrogacy journey with our agency, you also receive support through your postpartum journey. If you have additional questions on exclusively pumping as a surrogate or how to feed your baby as a new parent, reach out to us!