Breast Milk Donation Drop-off - Squamish Community Health Centre

Sometimes mothers can?t make enough milk for their babies. If a mother?s own milk is not available, the next best thing is pasteurized breast milk from a donor.

Donor milk has active beneficial properties and is similar to mother?s own milk. It is especially critical for the health of sick and very tiny babies.

We are always in need of new donors.

What is the process?

Once mothers have been screened by the BC Women?s Provincial Milk Bank, mothers in the VCH region may drop off breast milk donations at a designated VCH site. The frozen milk is shipped to BC Women's Provincial Milk Bank, pooled, pasteurized, then distributed to babies in need.  

Please note: Before attempting to drop off milk to a milk collection depot, you must call the depot that you plan to use to confirm times and location for drop off.

Can I donate?

You most likely can donate milk if you are:

• In good general health and your baby is up to 18 months old (bereaved donors are also accepted)
• Have more breast milk than you need for your own baby. We ask that each mother donate at least 4.2 litres (150 ounces) of milk over a period of time. This helps to cover the costs of screening.
• In the sad situation where a baby dies, some mothers choose to donate milk in honour of their child. BC Women?s accepts milk from bereaved donors. Any amount of appropriately stored milk is accepted, assuming the donor has completed the screening process.
• Willing to have a blood test to rule out certain diseases
• Not taking medications, including antidepressants and galactagogues (medications that increase milk production), or herbal supplements. Progestin-only birth control pills, thyroid replacement hormones, human insulin, prenatal vitamins, iron or calcium are acceptable.
• Living in Canada

For more information visit the BC Women's Provincial Milk Bank website.