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Local doctor donates 120 pounds of breast milk to human milk bank Says she bypassed selling on-line because the industry is "unsafe" Sale of human breast milk is legal, but unregulated in Mid South
Scott.Noll@wreg.com
(Memphis 11/24/2009) It's the story that has everyone talking, mothers selling their breast milk on-line.
WREG On Your Side Investigators found hundreds of moms advertising their milk for sale, including women right here in the Mid South.
But a Memphis doctor is speaking out, urging mothers to go in a different direction by donating their milk to non-profit human milk banks.
For the last six years, LeBonheur Children's Medical Center, has been using donor milk.
Unlike what's on the internet, experts say donor milk is carefully screened, and the mother's diet closely monitored.
And, unlike the ads on the internet, donors don't see a dime.
As the mother of a nursing seven month old, Celeste Hecox knows the possibilities out there.
"I probably thought about it," admitted the 29 year old.
She's talking about the hundreds of mothers, nationwide, offering their breast milk on-line to others for a price.
Ads show prices anywhere from a $1 to $5 an ounce.
A mother of three, Amy Janson started advertising her breast milk last summer.
"I figured it's a lot of work, making milk," Janson explained when asked why she put a price on her breast milk. "It's tiring, the effort into pumping, pumps are expensive."
But as a pediatrician, Hecox says, while selling milk may be lucrative, it's not for her.
"It would be encouraging an industry i think is unsafe and i don't agree with," said Hecox.
She says she sees the benefits of breast-feeding daily, both as a mother, and doctor.
Hecox was heartbroken after having to toss gallons of stored milk she pumped after her son was born.
Local doctor donates 120 pounds of breast milk to human milk bank Says she bypassed selling on-line because the industry is "unsafe" Sale of human breast milk is legal, but unregulated in Mid South
Scott.Noll@wreg.com
(Memphis 11/24/2009) It's the story that has everyone talking, mothers selling their breast milk on-line.
WREG On Your Side Investigators found hundreds of moms advertising their milk for sale, including women right here in the Mid South.
But a Memphis doctor is speaking out, urging mothers to go in a different direction by donating their milk to non-profit human milk banks.
For the last six years, LeBonheur Children's Medical Center, has been using donor milk.
Unlike what's on the internet, experts say donor milk is carefully screened, and the mother's diet closely monitored.
And, unlike the ads on the internet, donors don't see a dime.
As the mother of a nursing seven month old, Celeste Hecox knows the possibilities out there.
"I probably thought about it," admitted the 29 year old.
She's talking about the hundreds of mothers, nationwide, offering their breast milk on-line to others for a price.
Ads show prices anywhere from a $1 to $5 an ounce.
A mother of three, Amy Janson started advertising her breast milk last summer.
"I figured it's a lot of work, making milk," Janson explained when asked why she put a price on her breast milk. "It's tiring, the effort into pumping, pumps are expensive."
But as a pediatrician, Hecox says, while selling milk may be lucrative, it's not for her.
"It would be encouraging an industry i think is unsafe and i don't agree with," said Hecox.
She says she sees the benefits of breast-feeding daily, both as a mother, and doctor.
Hecox was heartbroken after having to toss gallons of stored milk she pumped after her son was born.
