Moms Share Breast Milk on Facebook

Eats on Feets connects those who have with those who need
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 27, 2010 6:50 AM CST
Moms Share Breast Milk on Facebook
This undated photo provided by Kelli Roman shows her breastfeeding her daughter Ivy.   (AP Photo/Kelli Roman)

Facebook: What can't it do? Its latest triumph: Despite not allowing mothers to post breastfeeding photos, the social networking site has allowed more than 70 women so far to share breast milk. Eats on Feets is a network that uses Facebook to connect women who need milk and women who have extra, Time reports. It was developed by a midwife and a breastfeeding activist, and has already blossomed into 98 local groups in all 50 states and 22 countries.

Sharing breast milk is an age-old practice, but highly stigmatized now because it is seen as dangerous—even though research shows that a stovetop method is enough to kill even HIV. Milk banks, which screen and pasteurize all donations, often either charge too much (more than $100 for one day's supply) or only offer milk to premature or very sick babies. For women who have trouble breastfeeding, "raw" milk is best for their babies—and Eats on Feets is one way for them to get it. (Got extra breast milk but no baby to use it? Click here for another, er, interesting idea.)

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