Breast Milk Cost: How Much Will You Pay at a Milk Bank?

Breast milk provides optimal nutrition and protection against infections for newborn babies. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends breast milk as the sole source of nutrition during a baby’s first 6 months.

Breastfeeding can be one of the most rewarding and challenging aspects of parenthood. Many families intend to breastfeed their newborn babies, but unexpected events can disrupt those plans. If you’re unable to breastfeed your baby, that doesn’t mean your child will miss out on the advantages of breast milk.

Here’s everything you need to know about nourishing your baby’s growth and development with donor breast milk.

Where can I get breast milk if I can’t breastfeed?

When breastfeeding is not possible, you may be able to get breast milk from a milk bank. 

The Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA) is a network of 31 milk banks in the U.S. and Canada. We’ll discuss more about the HMBANA later.

What is a milk bank?

A milk bank is a service that collects breast milk from mothers who have more than their babies need. Donor breast milk is often distributed to families and hospitals to support babies who are premature, sick, or underweight. Donor breast milk also can go to families who prefer to nourish their babies with human breast milk instead of or in addition to formula.

The concept of sharing breast milk is not new and has been documented throughout human history. The first milk bank in the U.S. opened in 1910 on Boston’s Floating Hospital, which later became Tufts Children's Hospital.

Founded in 1985, the HMBANA accredits nonprofit milk banks in the U.S. and Canada. HMBANA member milk banks follow strict screening, processing, and dispensing guidelines for pasteurized donor breast milk.

Some medical facilities — particularly children’s hospitals with neonatal intensive care units — have milk banks for their premature patients.

There are three types of milk banks available to the public:

• Commercial

• Nonprofit

• Peer-to-peer — sometimes called community-based breastmilk sharing or milk sharing

Commercial and nonprofit milk banks screen, test, and pasteurize donations. Then, the breast milk is stored frozen until distribution. Even if there is not a milk bank in your immediate area, it is usually possible to have breast milk delivered from the closest one in your region.

Peer-to-peer milk banks like Eats on Feets (which has chapters across the U.S.) are community networks where donors connect with families in need. Donors are able to give their milk directly to recipients, who can use the product raw or after home pasteurization.

Though the agency is not involved in setting standards for donor human milk, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration advises using milk from sources that screen donors and take other safety precautions.

How much does breast milk cost?

Despite its health benefits, donor breast milk is often not covered by private or public insurance for healthy babies. Donor breast milk may be covered if you have a child with a medical need and documentation from a physician. Check with your health plan for more details.

As of April 2022, these state Medicaid programs offer enrollees access to donor breast milk under certain conditions:

• California

• Connecticut

• District of Columbia

• Illinois

• Kansas

• Louisiana

• Missouri

• New Jersey

• New York

• Ohio

• Oregon

• Pennsylvania

• Texas

• Utah

As of April 2022, these states require commercial plans to cover donor human milk for certain infants:

• Illinois

• Kentucky

• New Jersey

• New York

For military families, Tricare covers donor breast milk from HMBANA-accredited milk banks around the world for infants with certain conditions if prescribed by a Tricare-authorized medical provider.

Without insurance, donor breast milk can cost $3.50 to $5 per oz. Milk bank fees cover the costs of processing, which ensures distributed milk is safe and high quality. Commercial milk banks often compensate donors, while nonprofit milk banks do not.

Milk banks such as Mothers’ Milk Bank Northeast in Massachusetts offer assistance programs for families with financial need. Check the HMBANA directory to find a milk bank near you and ask about assistance programs.

Since peer-to-peer milk banks are community-based networks, donor breast milk is typically free for recipients. It is important to note that peer-to-peer donor milk is often unpasteurized, which can be dangerous for premature babies. If you're considering peer-to-peer donor milk, make sure you and your donor follow the breast milk storage and preparation guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

If a baby’s condition requires breast milk while admitted to a hospital, the costs of donor milk may be covered by your insurance or may be included on your bill. If you want your child fed breast milk, you are not breastfeeding or expressing milk, and the hospital doesn’t have a milk bank, you may be able to arrange for donor milk from a milk bank. Ask to speak to a lactation leader in the facility. This person may be a physician but is most likely a nurse or lactation consultant.  

How is breast milk sold?

Donor breast milk is sold based on a milk bank’s policies. You may need a prescription from your doctor. Some banks may offer delivery, while others require in-person pickups. Even without a milk bank in your immediate area, it is possible to have breast milk delivered from the closest one in your region. To learn more, you should contact the nearest milk bank.

The HMBANA provides a map with locations and contact information for all member milk banks in North America as well as those under development.

How much breast milk should I buy at a time?

The amount of breast milk you can buy depends on many factors, such as:

• Your baby’s needs

• Your physician’s prescription

• Milk bank policies

• Whether you are using donor breast milk to supplement your own breast milk

For instance, Texas’ Mothers’ Milk Bank at Austin allows newborns leaving the hospital and healthy infants to receive as much as 40 oz of donor milk at home without a prescription and more with a prescription.

If you need a long-term supply of donor milk for a child with a medical need or want a long-term supply of donor milk for a healthy infant, contact your pediatrician to develop a nutrition plan and receive a prescription for donor breast milk. You also may be able to access donor milk with a letter of medical necessity.

How long does breast milk last?

Breast milk is a perishable item that requires refrigeration or freezing for storage, according to the CDC. You should always use breast milk storage bags or clean, food-grade containers, for this purpose.

Freshly expressed breast milk can be kept at room temperature — 77°F or colder — for up to 4 hours. If you need to refrigerate the milk, this can be done safely for up to 4 days. If you’re storing in the freezer, up to 6 months is best and up to 1 year is acceptable.

Donor milk should have an expiration date. It’s a good idea to use the milk with the earliest date first.

If you thaw breast milk in the refrigerator, use it within 24 hours of the milk completely thawing. Breast milk brought to room temperature or warmed should be used within 2 hours. It’s important to note that you should not refreeze breast milk that has been thawed.

How do I properly store breast milk?

When you receive breast milk from a milk bank, it will be frozen. Store all the frozen breast milk in the back of the freezer, where it will stay the coldest. Don't use the freezer door shelf for easy access, because this area experiences temperature changes when you open and close the door.

If you’re traveling, you can store breast milk in a cooler with frozen ice packs for up to 24 hours.

Consider storing breast milk in smaller quantities of 2 oz or 4 oz to avoid wasting thawed milk.

Is it safe to mix freshly expressed breast milk and donor milk?

Yes, under certain conditions. CDC advises taking care in combining fresh milk with older, stored milk. The temperature of fresh milk could thaw older, frozen milk. Also mentioned earlier, thawed milk should not be refrozen. Thawed milk is good in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours, while freshly expressed milk can be refrigerated for up to 4 days. The combined milk will expire based on the freshness of the older milk.

What alternatives are recommended if I cannot afford breast milk?

Iron-fortified infant formula is a nutritious alternative if you cannot afford breast milk. The AAP recommends feeding iron-fortified formula to all babies for their first year if they aren’t exclusively breastfed.

Is it OK to mix baby formula with breast milk?

It depends. Breast milk naturally contains all the necessary nutrients to meet your baby’s needs. You should only mix baby formula with breast milk if your baby’s pediatrician has recommended this with instructions.

It is OK to supplement a breast milk diet by also using bottles with formula. Feeding your baby breast milk and infant formula is called combination feeding or mixed feeding.

Is it OK to add water to breast milk?

No. It is not OK to add water to stretch breast milk. Adding water to breast milk can lead to a dangerous condition called water intoxication. Babies under 6 months of age do not need water or any other liquids in addition to formula or breast milk unless this is prescribed by a physician.

Adding water to breast milk reduces the amount of nutrients a baby receives, which can slow their growth and development.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Alejandro Rubio

Alejandro Rubio, known as Alex, is a freelance writer born and raised in Los Angeles. He holds a master’s degree in English from California State University, Long Beach.

Edited by:

Cindy George, MPH

Cindy George is the senior personal finance editor at GoodRx. She is an endlessly curious health journalist and digital storyteller.

Our editorial standards

Meet our experts