Donating Breastmilk in Saskatchewan

“Hey Kim! I have so much extra breast milk—what can I do with it?”

If you’ve thought of sending me this text or email (and you know you have 😉), you’re not alone. The great news? Yes, you can donate your extra milk—and it’s easier than you might think.

There are two main ways to do it: formal donation and mom-to-mom sharing.

1. Formal Donation: Milk Banks

The closest formal milk bank is Northern Star Mothers’ Milk Bank in Calgary. In Saskatchewan, there are several milk depot drop-off points for screened donors. Before you donate, you’ll need to be screened. This ensures that the milk going to babies is safe and healthy. You can check the eligibility criteria here and start the intake process if you qualify.

A few key points about formal donation:

• Minimum donation: 150 oz of milk.

• What happens to your milk: It’s pooled, pasteurized, tested, and then provided (at cost) to sick babies in hospitals and homes across Canada.

• Costs: The milk bank is not-for-profit. There is a fee for access to milk, whether that is a fee hospitals pay for or if it is a fee parents needing milk pay. Fees cover processing and distribution—not the generosity of donors.

Formal donation is incredible because it helps the tiniest, most vulnerable babies—babies who truly need your milk.

2. Informal Donation: Mom-to-Mom Sharing

The other route is sharing milk directly with other parents. This can happen through local mom groups, social media, or platforms like:

• Human Milk for Human Babies Saskatchewan

• Eats on Feets Saskatchewan

Mom-to-mom sharing is a bit different because there isn’t the pasteurization step. Recipients may ask about your health, lifestyle, diet, or baby’s age to make sure the milk is a good fit. Typically, families who turn to this route are looking for milk that isn’t available through formal banks.

Tips for Any Milk Donation

• Do your research before donating or receiving milk.

• Understand the processes, benefits, and risks.

• Know your feeding goals and think about sustainability—both for yourself and the recipient.

Donating breast milk is one of the most amazing gifts a parent can give. It’s a precious, life-saving resource, and the window to donate is limited—but your generosity can make a huge difference for another family.