Your donation guide

What’s involved?

1
Getting ready to donate
2
Donating breast milk
3
Caring for your kit
4
Storing and sending your donation
1

Getting ready to donate

Check Eligibility
Check that you can donate

Premature babies are incredibly vulnerable. We need to make sure the breast milk they’re receiving is as safe as possible. That's why not everyone can give breast milk, even though it’s still the best nutrition for your own baby.

Check your eligibility
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Register as a donor

After you check your eligibility online, fill out our form to register your interest; or call 1300 459 040.

We'll then talk through some more info, fill out some paperwork (it won’t take long, we promise) then you’re on your way to being a donor! 

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View recipient stories

Keen to know more? While you wait, view stories about why being a milk donor is such an incredible thing.

View stories
2

Donating breast milk

illustration of a hand washing with water under a tap
Wash your hands

You need to wash your hands well before you express milk as well as every time you handle breast pump parts. Don’t touch anything else after you’ve washed your hands, including your phone. 

illustration of a hand taking moisturiser from a pump
Avoid moisturisers and powders to your breast

You probably already know that clean bras and regular breast pad changes are best for your own health, but daily showers are super important for the baby receiving your milk.

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Express somewhere comfortable

Just like you would for your own baby. Relax and get comfy. 

illustration of a hand cleaning a pump
Wash your pump parts as soon as possible

You can use a pump or express by hand. If you’re using a pump, follow the steps below after every use, and be sure to sterilise it every day.

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Let us know if you’re not feeling well

Give us a call and we’ll be able to let you know what to do. Depending what you have, you may need to take a short break.

3

Caring for your kit

Get started

There are a few things you can do to make sure the milk you give gets to the babies who need it safely. 

Start by washing your hands well and pat them dry with paper towel. Make sure you’re the only one who handles the pump parts and they aren’t washed with or near dishware. 

Illustration of a woman standing against a beaker of breast milk

 

Hand wash your pump parts
  • As soon as possible, separate all the parts (the tubing won’t need washing). 
  • Rinse all parts that came into contact with your breast milk with cold water first (but avoid contact with the sink) 
  • Wash everything in a clean container with hot, soapy water and a clean bottle brush 
  • Rinse the soap off with clean, hot water 
  • Shake off any excess water 
  • Air dry on clean paper towel, with bottles upside down to drain 
  • Wash container with clean, hot, soapy water, then air dry on clean paper towel 
  • When everything’s dry, put the kit back in the container (with the lid on), and put it all in the fridge until you need it again.

Sterilise your kit daily

You can boil or steam sterilise your kit. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and avoid dishwashers and chemical decontamination methods (like Milton). Those chemicals could be dangerous for the babies we’re helping. 

If you sterilise using steam, just follow the manufacturer’s instructions. We recommend boiling your kit. Boiling is consistent and reliable if you follow these steps: 

  • Follow the steps above for cleaning your kit first 
  • Place the kit in a large saucepan on the stove 
  • Cover kit with water, checking for trapped air 
  • Bring the water to the boil and boil for 5 minutes (be careful not to let it boil dry) 
  • Take the kit off the heat and allow the kit to cool in the saucepan 
  • When you can, take the kit out but don’t touch the inside of the containers. If it helps, you can use some sterilised long handled tongs 
  • Shake off any excess water 
  • Store the kit in a clean closed container in the fridge  
  • Avoid touching the inside of containers and let them air dry on clean paper towel. 

 

4

Storing and sending your donation

Storing the milk

Pour the milk into the sterile bags provided (just make sure you don’t put your fingers inside the bag). We can only accept donations in approved sterile containers, which means no glass or zip lock sandwich bags. 

Allow at least 2cm at the top of the bag — milk expands when it freezes. Label every bag or container with your surname and the date. We won’t be able to take a donation that’s already more than three months old. 

Pop it in the freezer immediately. Your milk can be frozen for up to ten weeks. If you can, keep the milk bags inside a hard plastic container so they don’t get damaged.  

A couple of things to remember
  • Use a new bag for every session. We don’t recommend topping up bags. 
  • Don’t refreeze your breast milk if it thaws. If you don’t need it for your own baby, throw it away. 
  • You can request a collection when you have 3L or more. 
  • Find out what else we do for safety.

Thanks for being so generous, and so careful with your donation. Your kind donations will support families during an incredibly difficult time.  

Ready to take the next step?

Check your eligibility
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