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Informal Human Milk Sharing: The Experiences and Practices of Informal Human Milk Sharing in Ireland
Niamh Vickers1,2, Anne Matthews1, Gillian Paul1
1School of Nursing, Psychotherapy and Community Health, Glasnevin Campus, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland.
Maternal & Child Nutrition
|July 2, 2026
Summary
Informal human milk sharing (IHMS) offers emotional benefits for mothers, but formal milk banks are seen as inaccessible. Policy reform is needed to improve safety and access to human milk for infants.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Sociology
- Public Health
Background:
- Informal human milk sharing (IHMS) is a growing infant feeding practice.
- Existing formal human milk banks (HMBs) are perceived as rigid and difficult to access.
- Understanding the experiences of IHMS participants is crucial for infant nutrition policy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the experiences, practices, and psychological/emotional impacts of IHMS.
- To understand donor and recipient perspectives on IHMS in Ireland.
- To identify barriers and facilitators related to formal HMBs and IHMS.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative phase of a sequential explanatory mixed methods study.
- Fifteen participants (donors, recipients, or both) interviewed in Ireland.
- Reflexive thematic analysis used to identify key themes.
Main Results:
- IHMS participation driven by personal and contextual motivations.
- Formal HMBs perceived as invisible, rigid, and effortful.
- IHMS provided significant emotional relief for recipients and pride for donors.
- Safety navigated through informal trust networks; concealment from healthcare professionals noted.
Conclusions:
- IHMS offers substantial psychological and emotional benefits.
- Significant need for policy reform to improve formal HMB accessibility and visibility.
- Clinical frameworks are required to support healthcare professional engagement and risk mitigation in IHMS.
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