Use of shared milk among breastfeeding mothers with lactation insufficiency

• Published in: Maternal and child nutrition 2018-12, Vol.14 (S6), p.e12594-n/a
• Main Authors: Cassar‐Uhl, Diana, Liberatos, Penny
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Breast Feeding - statistics & numerical data; breast milk; Female; Health Education; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Helping Behavior; human milk; Humans; Infant; infant feeding; infant feeding decisions; Lactation Disorders; low milk supply; milk sharing; Milk, Human; Mothers; Supplement; Tissue and Organ Procurement - statistics & numerical data; Tissue Donors - psychology; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1740-8695; 1740-8709; 1740-8709
• DOI: 10.1111/mcn.12594

Social media platforms have facilitated the use of shared breast milk for infant feeding since 2010. This study aims to assess the prevalence of shared milk use among breastfeeding mothers with insufficient milk supply; and compare shared milk users with non‐users. Data were collected from breastfeeding mothers with low milk supply through an anonymous Internet‐based survey in 2013. Shared milk users were those who used shared milk for at least 10% of their infant's needs; the rest were considered non‐users. Chi‐square comparisons between these groups assessed reasons and information sources for supplementation options; breastfeeding and supplement choice satisfaction; and breastfeeding duration. One hundred thirty‐eight (29.1%) of 475 participants reported shared milk use. Healthfulness and reduced risk were most important to users (p