Nicole Howard, a 28-year-old mother of two in Utah, has earned nearly 10,000 USD in the past 10 months by selling a total of 210 liters of breast milk. This side hustle occupies a significant portion of her day, from maintaining a healthy diet to ensure milk quality, to pumping, freezing, advertising, and shipping to customers across the US.

"It feels like a full-time job because I'm constantly pumping," Howard said. She sells her milk for 1 USD per ounce (approximately 30 ml) to customers in Utah and 1.5 USD per ounce to those in other states.

Keira Williams, a mother in Atlanta, earns up to 1,000 USD per month selling breast milk. Photo: @Keira Williams

Keira Williams, a nurse in Atlanta, also started selling breast milk in mid-May. Her prices range from 0.5 to 2 USD per ounce, depending on the customer. She earns about 1,000 USD monthly from this venture.

"I've made tens of thousands of USD in a single day selling breast milk on Facebook," Williams said, adding that the income is helping her cover the costs of her wedding next year.

Ruby Du, 31, from Utah, uses the 300+ USD she earns each month selling breast milk to buy gifts for her husband and child, and to donate to couples undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Ruby Du pumps once a day, producing enough milk for her baby and her customers. Photo: @RubyDu

Their customers are primarily parents of newborns, mothers with low milk supply, or families whose babies have difficulty tolerating formula. However, another distinct customer group is bodybuilders, who are willing to pay a premium of around 2 USD per ounce, four times the price paid by other mothers.

In recent years, breast milk has been sought after by the fitness community as a "superfood" rich in vitamins and minerals. Social media platforms like TikTok are filled with testimonials touting breast milk as "the best natural supplement."

However, experts warn against this trend. A study from Queen Mary University of London found no scientific evidence that direct consumption of breast milk by adults offers any benefits beyond a placebo effect. Researchers explained that the benefits of breast milk are observed in laboratory settings, not from drinking a bottle purchased online.

The business of selling breast milk also comes with risks. Keira Williams is cautious when selling to men due to concerns about those with ill intentions. While most requests from bodybuilders are normal, she has encountered inappropriate and suggestive messages, prompting her to exercise caution.

To maintain quality and command good prices, sellers like Howard prioritize a healthy lifestyle. "I don't drink alcohol, smoke, or use stimulants. I don't drink coffee, eat fast food, or get vaccinated, which is important to most mothers who buy milk," Howard explained.

Despite the controversies, these mothers find the work empowering and meaningful.

Megan Lemmons uses the money from selling her breast milk to travel. Photo: @MeganLemmons

Megan Lemmons, 35, from Los Angeles, sells her surplus milk to the Tiny Treasures Milk Bank. Each time she sends 12-15 liters of stored milk, she receives around 3,500 USD. She used the earnings to treat herself to a trip to Santa Catalina Island.

"My freezer is so full of milk that there's no room for food," Lemmons said. "This is the most powerful and beautiful thing I've ever done. I'm proud of my milk money."

Minh Phuong (NyPost)