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Rachel V Thomas

Jwala Gutta Donates 60 Liters Of Breast Milk: Experts Bust Common Myths Around Milk Donation

Former badminton player Jwala Gutta shared that she donated around 60 liters of breast milk during the first year after childbirth. Delivering a critical social message, the Commonwealth Games medallist highlighted the importance of breast milk donation and stressed that it is completely safe.

“I donated around 60 litres of breast milk to the government hospital in Hyderabad and Chennai during my first year of postpartum!” Jwala wrote in a post on the social media platform X.

Noting that many babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) do not get immediate access to their mother’s milk due to medical complications, she said that “just 100ml of donor milk can feed a tiny 1kg baby for several days” and support “dozens of infants in the NICU”.

“Donating is safe, screened, and desperately needed,” she said.

<h2>Why Breast Milk Is Important For Newborns</h2>

Babies should ideally be breastfed within the first hour of birth, often called the “golden hour”, right in the labour room. The yellowish first milk, known as colostrum, is packed with antibodies and nutrition. Early feeding can prevent low blood sugar levels, build immunity, increase the mother’s milk supply, and strengthen bonding between the mother and newborn.

However, in some cases, mothers may be unable to breastfeed due to medical conditions, low milk supply, or physical challenges such as pain, latching issues, or previous surgeries.

Further, in the case of babies in the NICU, mothers may not be able to directly breastfeed because babies are often too small, premature, or weak to suckle, or they require medical equipment like ventilators and feeding tubes that physically hinder nursing.

HealthandMe spoke to experts to understand how breast milk donation works and the myths surrounding it.

Experts Say Breast Milk Donation Is Safe

Health experts noted that donating breast milk is safe and extremely beneficial for premature or medically fragile babies. However, storing it the right way is crucial.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/shocking-study-finds-andes-hantavirus-could-linger-in-semen-for-years-pose-transmission-risk-article-154324467" data-type="tilCustomLink">Shocking Study Finds Andes Hantavirus Could Linger In Semen For Years, Pose Transmission Risk</a>

“Breast milk donation is safe when done through certified human milk banks that follow proper screening, pasteurization, collection, and storage protocols,” said Dr. Bhavya Rathore, Senior Consultant - Obstetrician &amp; Gynecologist, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, Indirapuram.

“Breast milk donation can be a lifesaving gift, especially for premature or low-birth-weight babies whose mothers may be unable to produce enough milk initially. Donating breast milk is considered safe when done through certified human milk banks that follow strict screening, testing, pasteurization, and storage protocols. Donors are usually screened for infections like HIV, Hepatitis B/C, and certain medications or lifestyle habits before donation,” added Dr. Sakshi Goel, Senior Consultant - Obstetrics &amp; Gynecology, Rainbow Children's Hospital, Delhi.

<h2>Busting Common Myths Around Breast Milk Donation</h2>

Myth: Donating breast milk will reduce nutrition for a mother’s own baby

Fact: Healthy lactating mothers with an adequate milk supply can often donate excess milk safely without affecting their baby’s nutritional needs.

Myth: Donated milk is unsafe

Fact: Certified milk banks carefully screen donors and process milk to ensure safety.

Myth: Donated milk may directly transmit diseases

Fact: Properly processed donor milk undergoes pasteurization and multiple safety checks before use.

Hantavirus: The What, Why And How Of The Virus

Dr. Bhavya told HealthandMe that for safe storage, mothers should express milk with clean hands, use sterilised BPA-free containers, and refrigerate milk immediately after expression.

“Breast milk can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days and frozen for longer storage. Proper labelling with date and time of expression is important,” she added.

Dr. Sakshi told HealthandMe that for best storage, breast milk should be kept in clean airtight containers, refrigerated if used within a few days, or frozen for longer storage while maintaining the cold chain.

The experts urged that mothers should avoid donating breast milk if they have certain infections, smoke, consume excessive alcohol, or are taking medications that may not be safe during breastfeeding.

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Former badminton player Jwala Gutta shared that she donated around 60 liters of breast milk during the first year after childbirth. Delivering a critical social message, the Commonwealth Games medallist highlighted the importance of breast milk donation and stressed that it is completely safe.“I donated around 60 litres of breast milk to the government hospital in Hyderabad and Chennai during my first year of postpartum!” Jwala wrote in a post on the social media platform X.Noting that many babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) do not get immediate access to their mother’s milk due to medical complications, she said that “just 100ml of donor milk can feed a tiny 1kg baby for several days” and support “dozens of infants in the NICU”.“Donating is safe, screened, and desperately needed,” she said.    I donated around 60 litres of breast milk to the government hospital in Hyderabad and Chennai during my first year of post partum!!Why does it matter? Just 100ml of donor milk can feed a tiny 1kg baby for several days. This donation could potentially support dozens of infants… pic.twitter.com/JzEXQZDrXa&mdash; Gutta Jwala 💙 (@Guttajwala) May 14, 2026 ]]>Why Breast Milk Is Important For NewbornsBabies should ideally be breastfed within the first hour of birth, often called the “golden hour”, right in the labour room. The yellowish first milk, known as colostrum, is packed with antibodies and nutrition. Early feeding can prevent low blood sugar levels, build immunity, increase the mother’s milk supply, and strengthen bonding between the mother and newborn.However, in some cases, mothers may be unable to breastfeed due to medical conditions, low milk supply, or physical challenges such as pain, latching issues, or previous surgeries.Further, in the case of babies in the NICU, mothers may not be able to directly breastfeed because babies are often too small, premature, or weak to suckle, or they require medical equipment like ventilators and feeding tubes that physically hinder nursing.HealthandMe spoke to experts to understand how breast milk donation works and the myths surrounding it.Experts Say Breast Milk Donation Is SafeHealth experts noted that donating breast milk is safe and extremely beneficial for premature or medically fragile babies. However, storing it the right way is crucial.Also read: Shocking Study Finds Andes Hantavirus Could Linger In Semen For Years, Pose Transmission Risk“Breast milk donation is safe when done through certified human milk banks that follow proper screening, pasteurization, collection, and storage protocols,” said Dr. Bhavya Rathore, Senior Consultant - Obstetrician & Gynecologist, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, Indirapuram.“Breast milk donation can be a lifesaving gift, especially for premature or low-birth-weight babies whose mothers may be unable to produce enough milk initially. Donating breast milk is considered safe when done through certified human milk banks that follow strict screening, testing, pasteurization, and storage protocols. Donors are usually screened for infections like HIV, Hepatitis B/C, and certain medications or lifestyle habits before donation,” added Dr. Sakshi Goel, Senior Consultant - Obstetrics & Gynecology, Rainbow Children's Hospital, Delhi.Busting Common Myths Around Breast Milk DonationMyth: Donating breast milk will reduce nutrition for a mother’s own babyFact: Healthy lactating mothers with an adequate milk supply can often donate excess milk safely without affecting their baby’s nutritional needs.Myth: Donated milk is unsafeFact: Certified milk banks carefully screen donors and process milk to ensure safety.Myth: Donated milk may directly transmit diseasesFact: Properly processed donor milk undergoes pasteurization and multiple safety checks before use.How To Safely Store Breast Milk   Dr. Bhavya told HealthandMe that for safe storage, mothers should express milk with clean hands, use sterilised BPA-free containers, and refrigerate milk immediately after expression.“Breast milk can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days and frozen for longer storage. Proper labelling with date and time of expression is important,” she added.Dr. Sakshi told HealthandMe that for best storage, breast milk should be kept in clean airtight containers, refrigerated if used within a few days, or frozen for longer storage while maintaining the cold chain.The experts urged that mothers should avoid donating breast milk if they have certain infections, smoke, consume excessive alcohol, or are taking medications that may not be safe during breastfeeding.

jwala gutta donates 60 liters of breast milk: experts bust common myths around milk donation

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