Shipping breast milk in surrogacy gives intended parents the best possible start for their newborn while providing irreplaceable immunological benefits that only you can offer.
The nutritional and emotional value you provide through breast milk shipping gives intended parents peace of mind and their child optimal health benefits during those critical first weeks.
Ready to make an even greater impact as a surrogate? Learn how American Surrogacy supports your entire journey. Fill out our simple form now.
Can Surrogates Provide Breast Milk After Birth?
Yes, surrogates can absolutely provide breast milk after birth.
This decision is entirely voluntary and depends on your personal preferences, physical ability to pump and the intended parents’ wishes regarding shipping breast milk in surrogacy arrangements.
Shipping breast milk in surrogacy represents a continuation of the nurturing relationship that develops during pregnancy.
Many surrogates find this emotionally fulfilling, as it allows them to provide ongoing benefits while helping intended parents give their child optimal nutrition during those critical first weeks.
The decision should be discussed during matching and clearly outlined in your surrogacy agreement.
Learn more about how surrogacy agreements work and what they include to ensure your journey is protected.
The Complete Guide to Safe Breast Milk Shipping for Surrogates (7 Essential Steps)
Shipping breast milk in surrogacy requires careful attention to safety protocols to ensure the milk arrives nutritionally valuable for the baby.
- Step 1: Pump and Store Properly Use clean, sanitized equipment and store immediately in breast milk storage bags designed for freezing. Label each container with date and pumping time.
- Step 2: Freeze Completely
Ensure all milk is frozen solid before shipping. Freeze milk flat in storage bags to maximize space and promote even freezing. - Step 3: Prepare Shipping Container Use an insulated container designed for frozen goods. Line with plastic bags to prevent leaks and contamination.
- Step 4: Pack with Adequate Dry Ice Place dry ice in the bottom, add frozen milk, then top with more dry ice. Use 5-10 pounds of dry ice per 24-hour shipping period.
- Step 5: Seal and Label Correctly Seal tightly and apply required shipping labels, including hazardous material labels for dry ice. Include recipient contact information.
- Step 6: Ship Overnight Use overnight or express shipping to minimize transit time and ensure milk stays frozen throughout transport.
- Step 7: Communicate Delivery Details Notify intended parents of tracking information and expected delivery so they can receive and store milk immediately.
The One Thing Intended Parents Want Most – A Happy and Healthy Baby
When intended parents request shipping breast milk in surrogacy arrangements, it stems from their desire to provide optimal nutrition and health benefits.
Breast milk offers unique immunological properties—antibodies, enzymes, and beneficial bacteria—that formula cannot replicate.
It ensures their baby receives the same nurturing sustenance that supported healthy development in utero, which can be especially meaningful for parents who felt disconnected from the pregnancy experience.
The immunological benefits are particularly valuable during those first months when babies’ immune systems are developing.
Antibodies in breast milk help protect against infections and allergies, giving intended parents peace of mind about their baby’s wellbeing.
How Long Should You Really Pump? (The Truth About Duration)
Duration of pumping for shipping breast milk in surrogacy varies significantly among surrogates. Most who choose this path pump anywhere from two weeks to three months postpartum.
- Short-term pumping (2-6 weeks) is most common. This allows surrogates to provide valuable colostrum and early breast milk while bodies naturally transition away from lactation without extended intervention.
- Extended pumping (2-3 months or longer) requires more commitment but provides substantial benefits. These arrangements need clear communication and flexibility built in to accommodate changing circumstances.
The decision about duration should be collaborative between you and intended parents.
Remember, milk supply naturally fluctuates, and you should never feel pressured to continue if pumping becomes physically or emotionally challenging.
What Nobody Tells You About Low Milk Supply (And How to Handle It)
Milk supply challenges are completely normal when shipping breast milk in surrogacy.
Several factors impact supply: delivery stress, separation from baby, irregular pumping schedules, and the body’s natural tendency to decrease production without consistent stimulation.
These challenges don’t reflect failure—they’re simply reality of pumping without nursing.
If experiencing supply issues, communicate openly with intended parents and your support team. Sometimes adjusting pumping frequency, ensuring proper nutrition and hydration, or consulting with a lactation specialist helps.
Remember that any amount of breast milk provided through surrogacy shipping is valuable. Intended parents understand supply can be unpredictable.
Don’t Worry About the Costs—Here’s Who Actually Pays
Financial responsibility for shipping breast milk in surrogacy is typically covered by intended parents, though arrangements should be clearly outlined in your surrogacy agreement.
This includes pumping equipment, storage supplies, shipping materials, and shipping fees.
Pumping equipment costs range from $200-$500 for quality electric pumps, while storage bags and supplies add ongoing expenses. Shipping costs vary by frequency and distance, but overnight shipping with dry ice typically costs $75-$150 per shipment.
At American Surrogacy, we work with both parties to ensure
clear understanding of financial responsibilities.
The Top-Rated Services Surrogates Trust for Breast Milk Shipping
Several specialized companies handle shipping breast milk in surrogacy with proper safety protocols:
- Milk Stork offers comprehensive breast milk shipping with specialized packaging, dry ice handling, and temperature monitoring throughout transit. They provide complete shipping kits and handle door-to-door logistics.
- FedEx offers specialized frozen shipping services for breast milk when properly packaged with dry ice. These include temperature monitoring and guaranteed delivery times.
- Local Medical Supply Companies often provide breast milk shipping services or recommend appropriate solutions for your specific location.
When selecting services for shipping breast milk in surrogacy, consider reliability, temperature monitoring, insurance coverage, and cost. Many offer tracking and temperature verification.
Your Must-Haves for Shipping Breast Milk (Don’t Ship Without These)
Proper supplies ensure safe shipping breast milk in surrogacy arrangements:
- Storage Containers: Heavy-duty breast milk storage bags designed for freezing, or hard plastic containers made specifically for breast milk storage.
- Insulated Shipping Container: Styrofoam or specialized insulated containers designed for frozen shipping, appropriately sized for milk quantity.
- Dry Ice: Food-grade dry ice in sufficient quantities—generally 5-10 pounds per 24-hour shipping period.
- Protective Packaging: Plastic bags to line containers, bubble wrap for cushioning, and tape to secure packaging.
- Labels and Documentation: Shipping labels, hazardous material labels for dry ice, and required documentation.
- Safety Equipment: Insulated gloves for handling dry ice safely, and ensure adequate ventilation when packing.
This Temperature Mistake Could Ruin Everything (Critical Requirements)
Maintaining proper temperature when shipping breast milk is vital for preserving nutritional and safety qualities. Breast milk must remain frozen at 0°F (-18°C) or below throughout the entire shipping process.
Temperature fluctuations compromise safety and quality, potentially causing bacterial growth or nutrient breakdown. This makes adequate dry ice quantities and proper insulation non-negotiable for safe shipping.
Temperature monitoring devices provide additional assurance that proper temperatures were maintained. Some specialized services include temperature logging as standard.
7 Pro Tips That Make Breast Milk Shipping Actually Manageable
Managing pumping and shipping breast milk in surrogacy while recovering from childbirth requires organization and realistic expectations:
- Establish Routine Early: Start pumping within hours of delivery if possible. Maintain consistent schedules that work with your recovery and daily activities.
- Prepare Supplies in Advance: Have all shipping supplies ready before delivery so you’re not scrambling for materials while managing recovery.
- Communicate Regularly: Maintain open communication with intended parents about supply, shipping schedules, and challenges. They can provide encouragement and practical support.
- Focus on Self-Care: Adequate rest, nutrition, and hydration are essential for supply and recovery. Don’t sacrifice your health for pumping goals.
- Set Realistic Expectations: Supply fluctuations are normal. It’s okay to adjust plans based on your circumstances—quality matters more than quantity.
- Plan for Flexibility: Build flexibility into shipping schedules to accommodate unexpected changes in supply or circumstances.
You Don’t Have to Navigate This Alone—American Surrogacy Has Your Back
Many surrogates find fulfillment in shipping breast milk in surrogacy arrangements, and we support you through every aspect of this process.
Your commitment demonstrates the incredible generosity that makes surrogacy possible.
Ready to learn more about shipping breast milk in surrogacy and the support we provide? Contact American Surrogacy today—we’re here for every step of your journey and beyond.