This article was originally published in the April 2025 edition of Héma-Québec’s Magazine. All issues of the Magazine are available here.

Can you really donate mother’s milk?

Absolutely! The Public Mothers’ Milk Bank was created in 2014 to help mothers and their premature babies who need medical care.

Around a third of mothers who give birth prematurely have difficulty producing enough milk to feed their baby. Still curious? Here are five (more) interesting facts about donating mother’s milk:

1. How much milk is needed

Every year, the Public Bank provides over 3,000 litres of mother’s milk to support around 1,000 premature babies in Québec.

2. Rigorous screening process

Becoming a mother’s milk donor is a multi-step process that includes a phone interview, a health questionnaire and a blood test to screen for infection diseases.

3. Benefits for premature babies

The Bank’s mother’s milk is especially helpful for very premature babies: it helps prevent serious infections, improves digestion and supports neurological development.

4. A generous act... with no risk!

Donors must follow strict hygiene measures to guarantee that collected milk is free from all bacteria. This means that the babies get much-needed milk with no risks included!

5. Solidarity between mothers

Donating mother’s milk creates a chain of solidarity between mothers and gives hope and support to families with premature babies. It’s more than just a medical product—it’s a powerful symbol, and it does good in more ways than one!