Should I Bank My Baby’s Cord Blood?
This is a question I get often from my placenta encapsulation clients. They want to know if they’re able to bank their baby’s cord blood and have their placenta encapsulated. And the answer is yes, you can do both.
But the question they should be asking is, “Should I bank my baby’s cord blood?”
There are so many decisions to make when you’re pregnant and planning for your baby’s arrival. And if you’ve been down the rabbit hole of prenatal marketing, you’ve probably come across this whole cord blood banking thing — save your baby’s stem cells just in case they need them in the future! Amazing, right? What kind of parent wouldn’t want that?
That’s exactly what these companies are banking on—your love and desire to do right by your baby. But let’s talk facts instead of fear-based marketing.
Private Cord Blood Banking
Cord blood banking is marketed as a “just in case” investment, but the reality is that the chances of your child ever needing their own banked cord blood are less than 0.04%. And if they do need a stem cell transplant, their own cord blood is often useless for treating genetic conditions because it carries the same mutations.
Most conditions that require stem cell treatment—like leukemia or metabolic disorders—need donor cells, not the baby’s own. This is why public cord blood donation is far more beneficial than private banking (and free!).
Another important point: Not all hospitals even participate in cord blood donation, and private banks don’t always guarantee viability over the long term, which means that you could be paying for something that you won’t even be able to use when, or if, you need it.
And if you’re wondering what this ‘investment’ actually costs, let’s break it down.
How Much Does It Cost?
Private cord blood banking can cost anywhere from $1,500–$3,500 upfront plus $150–$300 per year for storage. Over 18 years, that’s easily five grand+ — money that could be saved or better spent elsewhere — like toward postpartum support, a college fund, or literally anything else that benefits you or your child.
To put that into perspective:
$5,000 could cover hundreds of hours of postpartum doula support.
It could mean therapy sessions to help you adjust to motherhood.
It could pay for lactation support, meal services, a house cleaner, or a night nanny—all things that have an actual impact on your postpartum recovery and mental health.
Who Benefits from cord blood banking? (Hint: it’s Not You)
The only ones really benefiting from private cord blood banking are the corporations selling it (thank you, capitalism.) They market it as a necessity and play on the fear and anxieties of new parents. But what they neglect to highlight is the fact that very few families ever end up using their stored blood.
Go ahead and Google “cord blood bank fraud” or something of the like and you’ll see that some private cord blood banks have a track record of losing or improperly storing samples. Can you imagine spending all that money, only to be told that your baby’s cord blood is missing or no longer viable.
What Should You Do Instead?
If you’re considering cord blood banking, look into public donation instead. Public banks make these stem cells available for anyone who needs them—including your own child if they ever require a transplant. It’s free, widely beneficial, and serves a medical purpose. Additionally, public banks have strict regulations and rigorous quality checks.
If your hospital doesn’t participate in public donation, think about where your money will have the biggest impact. Instead of a corporate safety net filled with fine print, invest in:
Postpartum recovery (because you can’t pour from an empty cup)
Mental health support (because PMADs are real and preventable)
Placenta encapsulation (for evidence-backed postpartum benefits)
Practical support like meal delivery or house cleaning
Spend Your Money Where It will benefit you
Rather than throwing thousands at a corporate safety net that’s full of holes, invest in things that will help you and your baby. Postpartum recovery, mental health support, placenta encapsulation, or even just a solid meal train will have a much bigger impact on your family's well-being.
When it comes to spending your money wisely in those early days, focus on what helps you transition to parenthood with more ease and joy—not what corporations want you to fear. If you want real postpartum support instead of corporate fear-mongering, let's talk. Check out my placenta encapsulation and postpartum support services here and take charge of your postpartum experience.
