Research shows that 9 out of 10 Australian women wanting to donate breast milk reported taking medications or supplements, with pain relievers being most common at 62%. According to Gram Research analysis, nearly half of potential donors were taking at least one medication that could temporarily prevent donation, while 12% were taking medications that could make them permanently ineligible. Most medications were short-term postpartum treatments, highlighting the need for clearer milk bank guidelines on medication safety.
A new study from Australia looked at 1,480 women who wanted to donate their extra breast milk to help sick babies. Researchers found that 9 out of 10 donors were taking some kind of medication or supplement. Pain relievers were the most common, taken by about 6 in 10 donors. Some medications might make it unsafe for women to donate, but many were just short-term treatments for recovery after giving birth. According to Gram Research analysis, this study shows that milk banks need better guidelines to decide which donors can safely donate while protecting babies who receive the milk.
Key Statistics
A 2026 cross-sectional study of 1,480 Australian milk bank donors found that 90% reported using either medications or supplements during the 10 weeks after giving birth.
Pain relievers were the most commonly used medication among potential milk donors, taken by 61.9% of the 1,480 women screened at an Australian milk bank between 2023 and 2024.
According to a 2026 analysis of 1,480 Australian milk bank applicants, 46.5% were taking at least one short-term medication that could temporarily prevent them from donating breast milk.
Multivitamins were the most popular supplement among milk bank donors, used by 44.5% of 1,480 Australian women seeking to donate in a 2026 study.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: How many women wanting to donate breast milk to a milk bank were taking medications or supplements, and what types they were taking
- Who participated: 1,480 Australian women who applied to donate breast milk to the Red Cross Lifeblood milk bank between January 2023 and December 2024. Most were screened about 9 to 10 weeks after giving birth.
- Key finding: Nine out of 10 potential donors reported taking either medications or supplements. Pain relievers were used by about 6 in 10 donors, and nearly half were taking at least one medication that could temporarily prevent them from donating.
- What it means for you: If you’re thinking about donating breast milk, know that taking common medications or supplements doesn’t automatically disqualify you. However, milk banks need to carefully review what you’re taking to make sure donated milk is safe for premature or sick babies. Talk openly with your milk bank about all medications and supplements you use.
The Research Details
Researchers looked back at screening forms filled out by women who wanted to donate breast milk between January 2023 and December 2024. They reviewed 1,480 questionnaires that asked about all medications and supplements women had taken in the 10 weeks before their screening appointment. This type of study, called a cross-sectional study, takes a snapshot of a group at one point in time rather than following people over months or years.
The researchers carefully sorted all the medications and supplements into categories like pain relievers, blood thinners, antibiotics, and vitamins. They counted how many donors were taking each type and looked for patterns. This approach helped them understand what medications and supplements were most common among women wanting to donate milk.
This research matters because donated breast milk is especially important for premature babies, sick newborns, and babies whose mothers can’t breastfeed. These vulnerable babies need safe milk, so milk banks must screen donors carefully. However, many medications and supplements haven’t been thoroughly studied in breast milk, making it hard for milk banks to know which donors should be accepted or rejected. Understanding what donors are actually taking helps milk banks create better, fairer screening guidelines.
This study has several strengths: it looked at a large number of donors (1,480), used real screening data from an actual milk bank, and covered a two-year period. However, the study only looked at one milk bank in Australia, so results might be different in other countries or regions. The study also couldn’t determine whether donors were actually taking medications as prescribed or whether they stopped taking them before donating. Additionally, the researchers couldn’t follow up to see which donors were ultimately approved or rejected for donation.
What the Results Show
The study found that medication and supplement use was extremely common among potential milk donors. Overall, 90% of the 1,480 women reported taking either medications or supplements, or both. About 75% took medications, and 64% took supplements. These numbers show that most women considering donation are taking something during the postpartum period, which is the time right after giving birth.
Pain relievers were by far the most common medication, used by about 62% of donors. This makes sense because many women experience pain after delivery. The next most common medications were blood thinners (22%), antibiotics (15%), hormonal therapies like birth control (11%), and blood pressure medications (7%). Most of these medications were short-term treatments for recovery after birth, not long-term conditions.
When researchers looked at whether medications might prevent donation, they found that 46.5% of donors were taking at least one short-term medication that could temporarily stop them from donating. Additionally, 12.4% were taking a long-term medication that could make them permanently ineligible. For supplements, multivitamins were the most popular, taken by 45% of all donors. Many women were taking multiple supplements at the same time.
The study revealed that supplement use was widespread and often involved multiple products. Beyond multivitamins, donors reported taking various other supplements, though the study didn’t specify which ones were most common after multivitamins. The timing of screening was important: women were screened about 9 to 10 weeks after giving birth, which is when they might still be recovering and taking medications for postpartum issues. The research showed that most medication use was temporary and related to recovery, rather than treating ongoing health conditions.
Previous research on milk donor screening has focused mainly on infectious diseases and lifestyle factors. This Australian study adds important new information by documenting how common medication and supplement use actually is among donors. While other countries have some guidelines about which medications prevent donation, there’s limited research comparing medication use across different populations of milk donors. This study fills that gap for the Australian population and suggests that similar patterns might exist in other developed countries.
The study only looked at donors from one milk bank in Australia, so the results might not apply to other countries or regions with different healthcare systems or medication practices. The study couldn’t determine whether women actually took medications as prescribed or stopped them before donating. Researchers also couldn’t follow up to see which donors were ultimately approved or rejected, so they couldn’t determine whether the screening process correctly identified safety concerns. The study also didn’t examine whether donors received clear information about which medications or supplements might affect their eligibility. Finally, because this was a snapshot at one point in time, researchers couldn’t track how medication use changed over time.
The Bottom Line
If you’re considering donating breast milk, report all medications and supplements you’re taking to your milk bank, even if you think they’re minor or temporary. Be honest about pain relievers, vitamins, birth control, and any other products you use. Work with your milk bank’s screening team to understand which medications might temporarily or permanently prevent donation. Many common postpartum medications may be acceptable, but each milk bank has its own guidelines. Confidence level: High for the importance of disclosure; moderate for specific medication acceptability, which varies by milk bank.
Women considering donating breast milk should care about this research, as well as milk bank staff who screen donors. Healthcare providers who advise postpartum women about donation should also understand these findings. Parents of premature or sick babies who receive donated milk should know that screening includes medication review. This research is less relevant for women who aren’t considering donation or for people in countries without organized milk banking systems.
If you’re taking a short-term medication like pain relievers or antibiotics, you might be able to donate after you finish the medication, depending on your milk bank’s guidelines. This could take days to weeks. If you’re taking a long-term medication, you may need to wait until you stop taking it, which could take months or longer. Some medications may permanently prevent donation. Talk to your milk bank about realistic timelines for your specific situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I donate breast milk if I’m taking pain relievers or other medications?
It depends on the specific medication and your milk bank’s guidelines. Pain relievers were used by 62% of donors in this study, and many were approved to donate. Talk to your milk bank about each medication you’re taking. Short-term postpartum medications are often acceptable, but timing matters.
What medications prevent women from donating breast milk?
This study found that 12.4% of donors were taking long-term medications that could make them ineligible. Common reasons for deferral include blood thinners, certain antibiotics, and some hormonal medications. Your milk bank can tell you which specific medications they accept or reject.
Do vitamins and supplements affect breast milk donation eligibility?
Multivitamins were used by 45% of donors in this study. Most common supplements appear acceptable, but milk banks should review them. The study highlights that safety data for many supplements in donated milk is limited, so disclosure is important.
How many Australian milk donors were taking medications or supplements?
A 2026 study of 1,480 Australian milk bank applicants found that 90% reported using medications or supplements. About 75% took medications and 64% took supplements, with many using both types.
What should I tell my milk bank about my medications?
Tell them about every medication and supplement you’ve taken in the weeks after giving birth, including over-the-counter pain relievers, vitamins, birth control, antibiotics, and herbal products. Be specific about what you took, when you started, and when you stopped.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track all medications and supplements taken during the postpartum period with dates started and stopped. Record the medication name, dose, reason for taking it, and start/stop dates. This creates a clear record to share with your milk bank during screening.
- Create a complete list of all medications and supplements before your milk bank screening appointment. Include over-the-counter pain relievers, vitamins, herbal products, and prescription medications. Don’t assume anything is too minor to mention. Bring this list to your screening interview.
- If you’re planning to donate, maintain an ongoing medication and supplement log starting in the postpartum period. Update it whenever you start or stop taking anything. Review it monthly to ensure accuracy. This makes screening conversations easier and helps you remember what you’ve taken.
This research describes medication and supplement use among milk bank donors but does not provide medical advice about which medications are safe during breastfeeding or donation. Medication safety varies by individual circumstances, dosage, and timing. Always consult with your healthcare provider or milk bank screening team before donating breast milk, especially if you’re taking any medications or supplements. Do not stop taking prescribed medications without medical guidance. This article is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.