UPDATED: October 13, 2022

If you’re a new mom and you’re worried about the increasing cost of childcare, you’re probably thinking up ways on how to make extra money to support your family. This can be extremely challenging especially if you don’t have maternity benefits and you can’t work because you need to stay home for your baby.

Before you go and check out the micro job sites that will probably just pay you a few dollars a day, you might want to consider selling your breast milk that could supplement your income by the hundreds of dollars, and even thousands.  

Yes, you heard that right! You can sell your breast milk that’s currently crowding your freezer! If you’re wondering how common it is to sell breast milk, then as the title suggests, it’s more common than you think.

While not typically talked about in daily conversations such as buying cow’s milk or not as trendy as getting almond milk from the grocery store, there are already established channels where you can sell your breast milk.  If you are lactating and you have an oversupply of breast milk that is more than what your baby needs, not only can you make money out of it but also help other parents in the process.

How Much Money Can You Make From Selling Breast Milk

This is usually the first question that comes to mind when a new mom hears of this kind of trade. That’s understandable because even if you have an excess of milk, pumping it out of your body is not an easy process as you need to devote your time and energy.

So, is selling breast milk profitable? How much does breast milk sell for? The answer to these questions will depend on where you’re selling your milk and how much milk you’re actually producing. According to Breastfeeding USA, newborn babies need 25 to 35 oz. of breast milk until they reach 6 months. If you produce more than that in a day, you can sell your milk per ounce. An ounce of milk typically sells for $1 so if you produce 30 oz. extra milk per day and sell it at that price, you can get at $900 in a month selling your breast milk. If you produce more milk then you can get more money.

If you sell your milk for a higher price, then this amount will obviously increase. In online sites, for example, you can sell your milk for $2 or higher if there are buyers. While many articles claim that you can list your breast milk for around $2.50, the most common price listed is still $1 or even lower.

Is Selling Breast Milk Legal?

Selling breast milk is legal. There is no federal law in the United States that prohibits the sale of breast milk. There are legitimate milk banks that accept breast milk donations that will pay a minimum of $1 per ounce for your milk.

Who Buys Breast Milk?

The apparent customers for breast milk are new moms who want to provide the best nutrition for their babies. This is because according to the American Pregnancy Association, breast milk is the best source of nutrition for infants.

It is recommended as the ideal food for babies because its proteins are easier to digest than cow’s milk or formula. Breast milk also provides the necessary nutrients and energy babies need. However, not all new mothers can sustain breastfeeding even for several weeks due to several reasons that’s why they look for alternatives.

Here are the common buyers of breast milk include the following:

  • Mothers who cannot produce enough breast milk
  • Adoptive parents
  • Same-sex couples
  • Bodybuilders
  • People with a fetish for human milk

Where to Sell Breast Milk

There are different routes that you can go to  if you want to sell your breast milk. The following are the most popular platforms where new mothers can sell their excess breast milk.

  • Milk Banks 
  • Online Communities 
  • Facebook Groups 

Milk Banks

You can sell your breast milk at milk banks but most milk banks don’t call it selling, instead, they call it donating your milk. The pay is usually $1 per ounce of milk but other milk banks require you to donate 100 ounces first without pay before they start paying you.

With milk banks, the application process is more rigorous and you have to prove that you are in good health and satisfy their requirements. This is because most hospitals get their milk from milk banks so the quality of the milk has to be thoroughly screened. You cannot typically sell your breast milk directly to the hospital and you have to go through a milk bank for proper screening.

The advantage is that milk banks will handle and pay for all the necessary tests, freezer bags, and some even cover the cost of your breast pump. They will also deal with logistical concerns like proper pasteurization and delivery to those needing the milk.  

Some of the milk banks you can check out are the following:

Online Communities

The most popular online community for selling breast milk is Only The Breast. It is a classifieds site for moms who want to list their milk for sale. With over the breast, you have the freedom to list your milk for under $1 or up to how much you want to price it. While there are still moms who list their milk for $2 and above, most of the existing ads are listed at $1. If you’re successful in selling your milk above the average rate, then you can make more money.

Selling in an online community like Only The Breast is popular not only because you can dictate the price of your breast milk, but because it is much easier to get into. While the site has recommended guidelines on how to sell your breast milk, it is not as stringent as applying in a milk bank. This is also an option for moms who do not live in areas where milk banks pay for money.

While you do not need to go through a strict application process, it is still advisable that you voluntarily undergo health checks to satisfy your potential customer’s inquiries. You will also need to deal directly with inquiries, sort out legitimate requests from scams, and handle packaging and delivery. These additional tasks can be stressful especially for new parents.

Aside from selling to new parents, you can also indicate in your ad if you are willing to sell to men. While there are some men who buy breast milk because of a strange fetish, one market for breast milk is the bodybuilding community. 

Many bodybuilders believe that breast milk is a healthier way to get their protein that’s why some are willing to pay more for human breast milk. Most bodybuilders are also not as fussy as moms when it comes to your health or milk pumping process. In a Fox News article, one woman in Europe reportedly made over $6,000 just by selling breast milk to bodybuilders.

Facebook Groups

If you are not comfortable publicly listing your breast milk in online communities for everyone to see, then you can consider selling your milk in private Facebook Groups. There are dedicated groups for moms who are looking for human breast milk.

Mothers who choose this option are those who do not have easy access to milk banks or those who want to directly help other women needing breast milk. There are also mothers who would rather sell their breast milk for $1 or less to help those who may not be able to afford buying from milk banks selling breast milk for $3 to $5 an ounce.

How to Sell Breast Milk

Depending on where you choose to sell your milk, you have to follow a slightly different process. Here is a step by step guide that you can follow.

Donating Your Milk to a Milk Bank for a Fee

  1. Find a milk bank in your area or check out the links listed in this article. Make sure that they are offering $1 per ounce as some milk banks do not offer payment.
  2. Fill out an application form to become a member and answer the questions as honestly as possible. Some milk banks have waiting lists so you might not be accepted immediately.
  3. You have to undergo a screening process like a blood test that will screen for HIV. Most milk banks will also require that you do not take illegal drugs, certain medications, tobacco products and you must refrain from alcohol consumption. These tests will usually be covered and paid for by the milk bank.
  4. Once you get accepted, you have to follow the procedures given by the milk bank which often indicates how quickly you should store your milk in the freezer as well as the delivery process. Clarify with the milk bank if they will cover shipping costs and the cost of the cooler.

Selling Your Milk Directly Online or On Facebook

  1. Take a blood test that will test for HIV, hepatitis, and other diseases. Inform the clinic of your intention to donate or sell your breast milk so they can advise the necessary tests for you. Having this ready will make it easier for you to market your milk and provide evidence to the buyer. 
  2. If possible, get a letter from your doctor that you can safely sell or donate your milk and by doing so, you are not endangering the health of your own baby. Some buyers will request this letter.
  3. Join an online community or a Facebook Group dedicated to people buying and selling breast milk. It is best to join groups near your area or those that are well-established. Thoroughly make your research before joining one.
  4. Write up your profile and an ad to list your breast milk. This can include
  • The age of your baby
  • Your age
  • Your state of health
  • Dietary lifestyle (organic, vegan, gluten-free, plant-based, etc.). Some mothers will pay more if you can show that you have a super healthy, organic lifestyle and you don’t smoke any tobacco or drink alcohol. 
  • Information on how you package your milk, if you pasteurize it and how you will deliver it to the buyer.
  1. If this will be your first time to package and deliver milk, make sure to check these tips on how to package breast milk.
  2. You can also check with shipping companies on the best way to ship your breast milk from your location. You may need a cooler, dry ice or gel packs to make sure that the frozen breast milk arrives safely. Some companies like FedEx and Milk Stork offer cold shipping packages for breast milk that may cost more but you don’t have to go through the hassle of arranging coolers. This is only feasible if the buyer is willing to pay for the additional cost of shipping.
  3. Some buyers may prefer pasteurized breast milk. Here is a guide on how to pasteurize your breast milk.
  4. When selling your milk, be cautious of scammers who may ask for photos and videos. If you are not comfortable with the request, you can always turn them down.

Should You Sell Your Breast Milk?

Selling your breastmilk is a legitimate way to earn extra money that you can save up for your baby. But more than the money, selling your milk can help many families who are struggling to provide adequate nutrition for their children.