A mixed-methods observational study of human milk sharing communities on Facebook

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Maryanne T. Perrin, Assistant Professor (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/

Abstract: Objectives: The Food and Drug Administration discourages the casual sharing of human milk because of the risk of pathogen transmission. No information is currently available on the prevalence of this practice. The purpose of this mixed-methods observational study is to describe the size and activity of online milk sharing communities. Materials and Methods: Data for 3 months were extracted from nine public Facebook pages that facilitate the exchange of human milk. The numbers of participants, interactions, and comments were analyzed. Results: We observed 954 individuals participating in milk sharing. The number of interactions per individual ranged from none to 16 (mean, 1.74±1.65). Top reasons that participants requested milk included “lactation problems” (69.4%) and “child health problems” (48.5%). Nearly half of donors were offering 100 ounces or more, which is the minimum to be eligible to donate to nonprofit milk banks. Conclusions: Milk sharing networks in the United States are active, with thousands of individuals participating in the direct exchange of raw human milk. Public health issues include increasing the supply of pasteurized donor milk for fragile infants, increasing breastfeeding support, and helping milk sharing families appropriately manage risks.

Additional Information

Publication
Breastfeeding Medicine, 9(3), 128-134. DOI:10.1089/bfm.2013.0114
Language: English
Date: 2014
Keywords
human milk donation, lactation, Facebook, milk sharing networks

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