'I have decided to trust other mums': new mum feeds son breast milk donated through Facebook

First time mum, Lauren Roberts, was devastated when her newborn son had trouble latching. 

Determined that her son would have breast milk, she turned to donations from strangers she met on Facebook, and wants other parents to know that it's an option. 

"I struggled to breast feed Leo from the moment he was born last August 23," she told The Mirror. 

"Leo wasn't latching on properly and I wasn't producing enough milk to feed him as often as he needed.

"Three weeks after his birth my friend recommended I looked on Facebook as there were groups for mums who donated their breast milk."

As diseases like HIV can be transmitted through breast milk, Lauren made sure to clear the backgrounds on her donors.   

"After posting an appeal for breast milk on the page I was over the moon when someone from my area replied stating she had some available.

"We met up and after seeing her blood test results – which were all clear – I felt comfortable feeding Leo with her breast milk.

"He loves breast milk in a bottle and it definitely makes me feel more comfortable knowing he's getting human breast milk than that of a cow." 

Lauren has used breast milk from five different women in total, all of whom she met in person. Two became regular donors and the other three have frozen supplies of milk. 

And she remains dedicated to the breast milk cause. 

"I have driven as far as two hours each way to collect breast milk for Leo across the country.

"I have decided to trust other mums and despite the risks of HIV, and other diseases being passed on within breast milk, I have taken that small risk to try and ensure Leo gets the best possible start in life." 

In her view, the benefits far outweigh the risks and she feels like this is an untapped resource for parents. 

"As it's all done through Facebook it does feel very underground when it shouldn't, it would be great if a website whereby people are regulated could be set up."

Lauren says that misconceptions around donating breast milk are unfounded. 

"I've had a great experience with sharing breast milk from other mum's, some people think it's strange but I think that's just because it's not something we've been brought up to see as normal."

Little Leo is now seven months old and weaned off breast milk, but Lauren says that she'd happily use donors in the future if she has another baby. 

"Nick thought it was bizarre before I explained the benefits and that some women overproduced so it would only go to waste.

"I will start collecting breast milk from donors when I'm pregnant next time so I am prepared." 

Lauren hopes that the health benefits for Leo will last for years to come. 

"I hope other people reading my story realise that sharing human breast milk is actually more beneficial than relying on that from another species.

"Multiple scientific studies have shown the positive impact of breast milk on a baby's development even many years into the future.

"A few of the other known benefits are it's easier to digest than formula, reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, lowers the risk of them developing allergies and gives the baby anti bodies to fight off common illnesses." 

What do you think mums? Would you use a breast milk donor?