A practice that’s been in place for hundreds of years is now the focus of a proposal by state Assemblywoman Pamela Lampitt of South Jersey that breast milk-sharing be regulated.

Seems odd that the practice, which had been in place since God-knows-when needs the state to intervene – as the state generally does anyway.
So why not this?

Well according to a column written by former state assemblywoman from Jersey City, Joan Quigley- who is the president and CEO of the North Hudson Community Action Corp. in Union City, since there’s been a rise in the number of breast milk-sharing banks and programs – there needs to be more awareness of the possible dangers inherent in the practice.

In other words, if you and a friend casually share breast-milk – you’d need to be made aware of whatever meds or illnesses the person with whom you share have or are on.

That would probably be done through a public awareness campaign.
A companion bill would require breast milk banks to be licensed by the state.


Common sense should dictate that anyone who shares breast milk should ask whatever questions need being asked – without the need for a public awareness program.

Furthermore, would you necessarily trust the breast milk you’d get from a milk bank facility? Again, common sense would dictate that you take whatever necessary precautions you’d need to before acquiring milk from a such a bank.

However, since common sense isn't so common anymore - and since a good many of us are on a any number of medications today - medications that can be transmitted through breast milk - the legislation makes sense.

Look at it this way. When you go to donate blood – not only are you asked a barrage of questions as to what diseases you may have, plus the number of medications you’re on – but a sample of your blood is drawn just to make sure it can be donated.

As I said at the top, it does seems odd that we’d have to regulate the sharing of breast milk – and as much as I hate the use of the phrase “state regulation” – one extra layer of protection won’t hurt.

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