Pathways | Provincial Milk Bank

Provincial Milk Bank

Pregnancy Care and Public Health

Provided by BC Women’s Hospital & Health Centre (BCWH)

They assist women who want to donate their milk and those who want to access donated milk.

BC Women's screens milk donors, and collect and heat-treat (pasteurize) donated milk and distribute it to hospitals in BC.

How to become a milk donor: Each donor must complete a screening process before BC Women's can accept and utilize their special gift of human milk. Depending on the number of prospective donors who have contacted them, it may take us a week or two to get back to you. Prospective donors are asked express and store at least 75 ounces to ensure that they are able to donate to the bank. Women can become a donor if they fill out thisform and answer 'yes' to the following questions:

In good general health and your baby is up to 18 months old (bereaved donors are also accepted)
Have more breastmilk than you need for your own baby. We ask that each mother donate at least 4.2 litres (150 ounces) of milk over a period of time. This helps to cover the costs of screening.
In the sad situation where a baby dies, some mothers choose to donate milk in honour of their child. BC Women’s accepts milk from bereaved donors. Any amount of appropriately stored milk is accepted, assuming the donor has completed the screening process.
Willing to have a blood test to rule out certain diseases
Not taking medications, including antidepressants and galactagogues (medications that increase milk production), or herbal supplements. Progestin-only birth control pills, thyroid replacement hormones, human insulin, prenatal vitamins, iron or calcium are acceptable.
Able to particpate in our screening process without the use of an English language interpreter (you speak English)
Living in Canada
Able to drop off your frozen milk at BC Women’s Hospital or a milk collection depot or pay to have your milk shipped to the BC Women’s Hospital (check with the Milk Bank as there are areas of BC where shipping to the Milk Bank may be covered)

Because of the cost of screening, we screen mothers only when they are able to donate at least 4-5 litres (150 oz.) of milk by their child's first birthday. More information on becoming a donor can be found here online.

How to access donor milk: Pasteurized donor milk is provided to babies who need it the most. A prescription from a doctor or registered midwife is required. You can access the prescription form here. Hospitals may also order donor milk. Donor milk is provided to your baby at no cost while in hospital. After leaving the hospital, if donor milk is still required, a fee is charged. This fee helps to cover the costs of processing. The current cost for donor milk is $5 for 120 mL (4 ounces). Ordered milk can be picked up at BC Women's or can be sent by courier if you live outside the Greater Vancouver area or your milk order is for 50 bottles or more). More information is available online.