Donor breast milk

Breast milk is considered the most complete and ideal source of nutrition for all newborns. For babies born prematurely, who have a low birth weight and other complications, breast milk can be lifesaving.

At Atrium Health Floyd and Harbin Clinic, we provide new mothers who can’t breastfeed with access to donor breast milk while their infants receive care in our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Where does donor breast milk come from?

There are many milk banks around the country that collect and distribute breast milk to those who need it. Women who are lactating and have extra milk can donate it through one these nonprofit milk bank programs.

Milk banks work with hospitals to help get donated milk to babies in need. You will need a doctor’s prescription if you want to use donor breast milk for your infant. Because there is a limited supply of donated breast milk available, it’s typically reserved for premature or high-risk newborns.

Is donor breast milk safe?

Feeding your baby your own breast milk is ideal. But many women are unable to produce enough milk to exclusively breastfeed their infants. For those babies, donor breast milk is the next best choice.

When you receive donor breast milk from a nonprofit milk bank you can trust the milk is safe for your baby. All milk donors are carefully screened. Before they can donate, they need to fill out health questionnaires and have blood tests to screen for infectious diseases.

Donor breast milk from a milk bank is also pasteurized before it’s given out. The pasteurization process effectively eliminates any harmful bacteria or viruses, but the milk still keeps its healthy nutrients.

Who needs donor breast milk?

Breast milk provides benefits that formula cannot for premature infants, those with very low birth weight or other high-risk conditions. Donor breast milk is most often given to babies receiving care in the NICU.

Donor breast milk benefits

Donor breast milk instead of formula can help babies in the NICU thrive. Breast milk not only increases their chance of survival, but it can also shorten their stay in the hospital, allowing them to go home with you

Babies who receive breast milk benefit from

• Decreased risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (a life-threatening illness in premature babies)
• Improved developmental outcomes
• Lower risk of infections
• Stronger immune systems

 

Related conditions

Postpartum care

Pregnancy