Special Report: Mother's Milk

Mother’s milk has been called nature's miracle. It has everything a baby needs to grow healthy and strong. Problem is not all women can produce it.

Jenn Connell, Mother
"I look at these mothers who breast-feed and I'm very envious."

Three years ago, Jenn Connel of Lyndebrough, New Hampshire had a double masectomy which took away her ability to breast feed.

When she became pregnant, she first looked to official milk banks... Which offer donated breast milk that's been screened and pasteurized. But the cost was too great.

Jenn Connell, Mother
"A typical day of milk would be $104 dollars."

Still, she wanted her son to have all the benefits of breast milk. So she set up a website www.feed my baby dot com. to seek financial donations. What she got was something unexpected.

Jenn Connell, Mother
"I started getting tons of offers for milk."

Sharing breast milk between mothers is something that's been done since the beginning of time. Now, the internet is making it easier than ever.

On message boards and websites Mothers advertise breast milk. For sale or for free.

Jenn Connell, Mother
"There's women out there that - they just do that for people."

Jennifer fox is one of Jenn's original donors.

Jennifer Fox, Breast Milk Donor
"It didn't cost me anything and it was to help a friend and her child."

But the practice of casually sharing milk remains controversial. The American academy of pediatrics does not recommend it.

Susan Browne, MD American Academy of Pediatrics
"We think it's a risky proposition."

They worry that some mothers won't take all the necessary precautions before accepting milk. Putting their babies at risk.

Susan Browne, MD American Academy of Pediatrics
"It could be contaminated by bacteria. And
certainly medication or drugs that a mother is taking."

Marsha Walker, RN Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition
"It isn't that you can't do it, it just has to be done in a safe manner."

Other experts believe it is possible for women to share milk safely. As long as it's been screened first.

Marsha Walker, RNMassachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition
"The mother who is requesting the milk usually has the mother who is donating the milk be tested - just the same way the milk banks do."

For example. Before Jenn accepts a donor, she has them go through a rigorous screening with their doctor.

Marsha Walker, RN Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition
"It asks their health history for the last three years and some from the last seven."

And asks for test results of diseases like HIV or hepatitis.

Jennifer Fox,Breast Milk Donor
"She's very cautious who she accepts milk from."

Through donations, Jenn was able to get enough milk to feed her son Grayson for a year. Now six-week-old Preston is drinking it as well.

Jen Connel, Mother
"They're getting the nutrition that they're supposed to have. I mean they're really healthy little boys."

And if you're considering sharing breast milk experts suggest you do home pasturization first teliminate possible contaminants.

Feed My Baby
www.feedmybaby.com

Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition
Http://www.massbfc.org

Information on Human Milk Banks
http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/compend-milkbanks.htm