How a Web App is Changing Informal Milk Sharing for Families in Need
The ongoing discussion of breastfeeding versus formula feeding is one that comes with emotions, bias, and sometimes very strong opinions. The 'breast is best' versus ''fed is best' campaigns make it seem like parents have two choices, and what you choose can come with backlash from others. While some women produce more milk than their children can consume, others struggle to produce enough, may have difficulties with babe's latch, tongue/lip ties, or need to return to a medicine that they need for their own health. What alternatives are there for those who cannot produce enough milk, or any milk at all?
For parents who are unable to produce breast milk, the search for an alternative can be overwhelming. Formula is an option, but for those who prefer breast milk, informal milk sharing has become an incredible community-driven solution. While the idea of receiving breast milk from another parent might seem unconventional at first, Share the Drop, a web app, is making the process safer, local, and community-oriented.
Who Can Benefit from Milk Sharing?
Milk sharing is a valuable resource for a wide range of families, including:
Women who cannot produce enough milk
Breast cancer survivors (like myself)
Same-sex couples raising babies
Adoptive parents
Parents who used a surrogate
Extended family members raising babies
Families affected by natural disasters where clean water and electricity may not be available
Parents facing rising costs and seeking an alternative to formula
My Journey into Milk Sharing
As a registered prenatal yoga teacher and birth doula, I have supported thousands of families through pregnancy, birth and parenthood. I owned a pre and postnatal yoga studio for a decade, where families shared trials and tribulations of pre/postpartum bodies, sleep training, partner relationships and of course, infant feeding. It was during this time I realized that feeding newborns created a wave of stress, pressure and often led to postpartum anxiety and depression. We held weekly free lactation support groups at the studio and I regularly helped match local families with an excess supply of milk to families in need. And as a breast cancer survivor, I gave particular attention to fellow survivors sourcing milk for their infants.
This is when I first discovered informal milk sharing through Facebook groups. I was constantly sending clients to them only to get the same response over and over again; this is too time consuming and clunky. I found myself becoming a local milk broker, introducing clients in need to those I knew had milk to share. As you would suspect, my clients had a lot of questions about sharing—how could they trust the source? Was it safe? Would they feel comfortable asking another parent for milk? But after doing research and listening to these moms, I realized that this wasn’t just about milk; it was about community.
One of the biggest concerns with informal milk sharing is safety. Unlike milk banks, which pasteurize and screen donations, informal sharing relies on trust and responsible practices.
That’s why the guiding principle of Share the Drop is never exchanging money for milk. When payments get involved, it creates incentives that could compromise safety. Instead, milk donors offer their surplus out of generosity, ensuring a purely altruistic exchange.
Share the Drop encourages open dialogue between donors and recipients—discussing health history, dietary habits, and even preferred storage methods. By keeping the process transparent, we empower parents to make informed choices.
How Share the Drop Works
The concept is simple: parents in need of breast milk and those with excess supply sign up, create a profile using their zip code, and begin to match and message. This keeps connections local, minimizing logistical issues and fostering a sense of support within the community. Instead of random internet exchanges, parents can establish real connections, sometimes even forming long-term relationships that extend beyond milk sharing.
For those considering using an app for milk sharing, here are some key steps:
Create an account – Both donors and recipients can account for free and see who is in their area. Donors are never charged to use the app; recipients pay a monthly subscription fee ($19.99) to have unlimited access to donors and messaging. Users create their profile based on dietary and lifestyle factors. Donors are asked if they are willing to share any recent medical lab work they can share with those looking for milk; if they agree we add a medical icon to their profiles so recipients know they can ask for that information.
Search Locally – Your zip code is used when you create an account, in an effort to find donors or recipients near you.
Connect & Communicate – Discuss health history, milk storage practices, and expectations before arranging a pickup.
Express Gratitude – Many recipients offer to replace milk storage bags for donors.
The Power of Community
Milk sharing isn’t just about feeding a baby—it’s about connection. Parents who donate often do so because they once needed help themselves. It’s a cycle of kindness that turns strangers into friends, reinforcing the idea that we’re all in this parenting journey together.
While informal milk sharing isn’t for everyone, for those who choose it, it can be a life-changing resource. I want Share the Drop to be an option for any family interested in breast milk for their infant. Using the modern technology of an app where users get real time notifications makes it easier and safer than ever to connect with nearby families and ensure that babies get the nourishment they need. Informal milk sharing has three main tenants for me:
It can help solve food insecurity for our youngest population.
It empowers parents to make the choices that are best for their family needs.
It builds a community of support between families exchanging milk, allowing for deep human connection.
If you’re considering milk sharing—either as a donor or a recipient—explore your options, prioritize safety, and embrace the incredible community that comes with it.
Kelly Cox
Share the Drop
CEO/COO
