Risks of Purchasing Human Milk Online: Why Experts Warn Against It

Purchasing human breast milk through social media platforms like Facebook poses significant health risks to infants, according to medical professionals at the Hospital Biprovincial Quillota Petorca. Because human milk is a bodily fluid, its unauthorized sale lacks the safety screenings and pasteurization processes required for donor milk provided through official medical institutions, creating a high risk for the transmission of infectious diseases.

Why Is Buying Breast Milk Online Dangerous?

Medical experts emphasize that consuming human milk from an unknown source is comparable to the unregulated exchange of organs. According to Macarena Jordán Puelma, head of the neonatology department at the Hospital Biprovincial Quillota Petorca, these fluids are not screened for pathogens that can cause serious, life-altering conditions in newborns and adults alike.

The risks associated with unverified milk include the transmission of several serious viruses:

• HIV: The virus that causes AIDS can be transmitted through breast milk.
• Cytomegalovirus (CMV): This virus can lead to permanent hearing loss and other long-term developmental complications in infants.
• HTLV (Human T-cell Lymphotropic Virus): This virus is linked to the development of specific types of leukemia.

The Difference Between Peer-to-Peer Sharing and Medical Donor Banks

There is a critical distinction between purchasing milk online and accessing milk through a hospital’s specialized lactarium. A hospital lactarium is a controlled environment designed specifically for mothers with hospitalized infants or newborns requiring specialized nutritional support. These facilities ensure that the milk is handled, stored, and, when necessary, processed according to strict clinical safety standards.

In contrast, milk sold on social media platforms bypasses all medical oversight. There is no way for a buyer to verify the health history of the donor, the cleanliness of the collection process, or the temperature at which the milk was stored during transit. Each of these factors is essential for preventing bacterial growth and viral contamination.

How to Safely Access Donor Milk

Health authorities strongly advise parents to avoid informal milk-sharing networks. If a parent is struggling with breastfeeding or requires donor milk for medical reasons, the safest course of action is to consult with a pediatrician or a hospital neonatology unit.

Official medical sources provide the only reliable path to obtaining screened donor milk. By relying on professional guidance, parents ensure that the nutritional support provided to their infant is free from the life-threatening risks associated with unregulated, online-sourced bodily fluids.

Key Takeaways for Parents

• Avoid Social Media Purchases: Never buy breast milk from unofficial sources on platforms like Facebook.
• Understand the Pathogen Risk: Unscreened milk can transmit HIV, Cytomegalovirus, and HTLV.
• Consult Professionals: Always discuss infant nutrition concerns with a pediatrician or a hospital-based neonatal specialist.
• Use Official Channels: Rely on hospital lactariums or certified milk banks that adhere to rigorous safety and screening protocols.