Journalist Alev Scott, from Somerset, embarked on a unique investigation into the growing, yet largely unregulated, market for breast milk in the UK. After the birth of her first child, Alev found herself producing more milk than her baby needed. Curious about what other mothers did with surplus milk, she uncovered an online marketplace where women sell their breast milk.
“I discovered this commercial market online,” Alev shared with The i. “It made me reflect deeply: How do I feel about selling my milk, or about other women selling theirs?”
In the UK, donating breast milk to hospital milk banks is possible but involves strict screening, rigorous assessments, and often leads to much milk being rejected. As a result, some mothers turn to alternative channels. During her investigation, Alev created a seller profile on ONLYTHEBREAST.com, a platform connecting women selling, buying, or donating breast milk in both the UK and US.
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The site describes itself as a community linking women with those seeking natural breast milk. By posing as a seller, Alev could closely examine the ethics and realities of breast milk commerce.
“Breast milk occupies a unique legal position in the UK and US,” she explained. “It’s considered a food, so selling it is legal, but it’s also a bodily fluid.”
Despite this legality, the trade remains unregulated, with no endorsement from bodies like the UK Food Standards Agency or the US Food and Drug Administration. Prices vary according to freshness, the seller’s diet, and age, with a litre typically costing between £30 and £50.
While some buyers were parents unable to access donated milk through formal channels, Alev was surprised to learn that the majority of purchasers were men. Breast milk is increasingly popular in wellness circles, often promoted for supposed benefits far beyond infant nutrition.
“The colostrum mothers produce postpartum, along with later milk, is known as ‘liquid gold’ not just for babies but for adults who believe in its healing properties,” Alev said. “Bodybuilders, cancer survivors, and those with digestive issues like IBS buy breast milk and colostrum.”
However, scientific evidence supporting these adult health claims remains limited.
Though Alev hadn’t intended to sell her milk, she agreed to supply some to a man named Steve, a 60-year-old lorry driver who said breast milk relieved his severe IBS symptoms. After delivering the milk, Alev reflected on the emotional impact of the encounter.
“I was moved to tears. I was giving away my child’s milk—my life force,” she recalled. Over time, she grew to believe Steve’s IBS was perhaps just an excuse for emotional connection: “I realized it was a lonely man seeking emotional nourishment.”
Alev’s experience highlights the pressing need for regulation and oversight in this largely unmonitored market.
“Governments either ignore or ban the breast milk market,” she said. “It’s crucial for everyone to engage with this issue; without change, the risks and ethical concerns remain.”