Breast milk has been referred to as “liquid gold” in the past. It makes sense. The health benefits of breast milk have been well documented; it provides many benefits to babies and toddlers. But breast milk also has health benefits for adults — and some moms are cashing in on those benefits. There are moms selling their breast milk to strangers and making good money. Although some of those buyers are fellow moms, there is also a surprising market: Bodybuilders are buying breast milk in droves.
“I’ve made $800 in just one day selling my breast milk on Facebook,” 31-year-old mom Keira Williams told the New York Post in an exclusive interview.
Williams, who is a neonatal nurse living in Atlanta, says she began selling her breast milk in mid-May. So far, she’s sold 3,500 ounces, mostly through Facebook groups. The mom of one says that she sells her milk to other moms for 50 cents an ounce. But bodybuilders? They have to pay $2, a 400% markup.
@nicolemonfer28 Sell you wonder?… yes, the price of bags is adding up and people who I donated to, after offering to get bags they just simple don’t or just forget. I have felt so much discouraged from donating lately as I have had a couple people not even say thank you and another one who asked me to change my diet because her baby was getting gassy even though she later told me she was mixing up the breastmilk with formula and that is likely to make babies gassy. If you have ever breastfed or pump you know how much work, energy and time it takes to do so. If you have questions of concerns, leave them in the comments. #breastmilkstorage #breastmilk #breastmilktok #pumpingmom #pumping #pumpingtok #sahm #sahmoftiktok ♬ original sound – Nicole H
And while she’s happy about the money it puts in her pocket (she’s saving up for her wedding next year), there’s still a bit of skepticism involved. The demand from male bodybuilders can veer into slightly creepy territory, the mom admits.
Some of the messages are fairly mild, “I’m a male looking for a regular fresh supply of breast milk,” New York Post reported. But then, some are a little more creepy. “Seeking open-minded mom to help me with [breast milk] long term … willing to travel for the right person.”
Bodybuilders are touting the benefits of drinking breast milk on social media, too. Fitness influencer Gary Fish shared a post on TikTok, calling it the “most anabolic natural supplement.” Another fitness guy called it “the bodybuilder’s best natural protein shake.”
While bodybuilders are paying top dollar, it’s not just them. Parents who need to get their hands on breast milk are also willing to pay. And mom Nicole Howard is happy to take their money.
“I’ve sold [more than] 7,000 ounces in the past 10 months,” Howard told New York Post. “I sell it at $1 per ounce on Facebook, $1.50 to people out of state, and 75 cents an ounce to clients who purchase 500 ounces or more in bulk.”
Both Howard and Williams said they also donate to breast milk banks.
“It feels so good to feed babies in need,” Howard said. “And to support myself and my household with money I’m making from my own body.”
Mom Megan Lemmons agrees. “It’s the most empowering, beautiful thing I’ve ever done in my entire life,” she said. “I’m proud of my milk money.”
