HOW TO BECOME A BREASTMILK DONOR

The Namibian Breast Milk Bank (NBMB) operates as a non-profit organization (NPO) and depends on donations.

Breastmilk donors make a free contribution of breastmilk and receive no remuneration, financial or in kind.

CAN I DONATE BREASTMILK?

• If you are a healthy breastfeeding mother nursing an infant with a surplus of breastmilk you are a good candidate to become a donor.
• You need to be in general good health and willing to undergo blood testing for HIV and Hepatitis B.
• You need to have access to a fridge and freezer and live in a hygienic environment.
• It would be beneficial if you are able to arrange for transportation of your milk to the Namibian Milk Bank.

WHY I CAN NOT DONATE BREASTMILK?

• You received a blood transfusion or blood product in the last 12 month.
• Blood test results are positive for HIV and HEP B.
• Donor status is unknown and you refuse to undergo blood testing for HIV and HEP B.
• You are a current smoker or using snuff, chewing tobacco or any nicotine replacement therapy.
• Known regular intake of more than 50ml of hard liquor or its equivalent in a 24 hour period.
• Known regular or recent use of recreational or habit forming drugs.
• You are a total vegetarian and do not supplement with Vit. B12 .
• Any part of your body had a piercing, tattoo or scaring in the last 12 month.
• History of measles, mumps and rubella vaccine in the past month.
• Local breast disease such as infective or non-infective mastitis or candida.
• Regular use of medications that are contraindicated during breastfeeding
• You are undergoing chemotherapy and use of radio active drugs or cytotoxins. 
• You or your sexual partner are at risk for HIV

SCREENING PROCESS AND REGISTRATION 

If you are interested in donating breastmilk and you already collected a min. of 1L of breastmilk please follow the steps below:

• Download the screening questionnaire and consent form on this page.
• Return the completed form to info@nbmb.com.na
• Schedule a screening interview
• Go for blood testing

Once the screening is done and we have feedback on your blood results you will become an approved milk donor.

You will receive a “NEW DONOR PROTOCOL”  with your assigned donor number.