Donating or receiving breast milk: how it works and why it's important

Donating breast milk is an act of care that can make a real difference. Donated milk is collected, controlled and distributed to infants who, for health reasons, cannot be breastfed by their mother. The donation takes place through the Donated Human Milk Banks (BLUD), present in many Italian hospitals. It is a free, safe gesture supervised by health personnel. A midwife or doctor performs an interview and some free blood tests to verify that there are no contraindications. You can pump your milk at home, with a breast pump provided on free loan, following the hygiene rules indicated. The milk should be kept in sterile containers and frozen. Some banks organize the collection of donated milk at home, others provide for direct delivery to the hospital. Each sample is pasteurized and analyzed according to strict protocols. Only safe milk is given to hospitalized infants, especially in Neonatal Intensive Care wards. All healthy mothers can donate, with extra milk and without incompatible medications. Donating doesn't 'take' milk away from your baby: the production adapts.