For 50 years the Mothers Milk Bank of San Jose has been providing human milk to babies in need, making it the longest running milk bank in the country. Milk banking has changed over time, with the Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA) instituting processes to make banked milk safer and more accessible. All milk is tested and pasteurized before use.
On May 2, from 10am-2pm, Watsonville Community Hospital will be hosting the Santa Cruz County Breastfeeding Coalition’s annual Milk Drive in celebration of Mother’s DayThis free event will include an opportunity to make Mother’s Day related crafts, win a door prize, or other gifts. The Mother’s Milk Bank, along with WIC, and other member organizations of the Santa Cruz County Breastfeeding Coalition will be on hand to share their services and resources with families.
While the Mother’s Milk Bank will be accepting frozen breastmilk donations at the event, all are invited to come learn more about milk banking – and maybe be inspired to become a donor. Usually, 100 ounces is the minimum accepted for a donation, however no amount of milk donated at the milk drive event will be turned away.
Vetted milk will be processed and pasteurized before distribution to babies in need, and milk that doesn’t meet requirements for any reason used in research.
Banked human milk is now often covered by insurance. Years ago, it was only available to the tiniest of preemies and sickest babies, but banked milk is now available to many more infants in need.
The World Health Organization (WHO), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and many others recognize the importance of human milk, especially for the first year of life. Breast/human milk feeding exclusively for the first six months is particularly helpful in supporting optimal growth and development, and in protecting against many diseases, allergies, infections and more.
The recognition of the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months has allowed the expansion of human milk donation to go beyond only treating ill babies.
Now there is availability of this important resource to families who may not be able to provide babies any or enough of their own milk, including those in foster care, experiencing low milk supply, or medical indications/medications that conflict with lactation.
While some parents weigh the risks and choose to casually share breastmilk between families, it’s important to know that HMBANA does not endorse casual milk sharing, instead striving to make donor milk available to all who need it. This means the more milk donors the better.
Donated milk comes from those chest/breastfeeding parents who would like to contribute to the health and wellbeing of other babies. There have been one-time donations from a freezer stash of milk that is no longer needed, to donors who pump extra milk daily, specifically for the milk bank, sending their milk on a regular basis.
A very special group of donors are those who have lost babies and when their milk came in, they looked to the milk bank to find some healing in a tragic situation. The 100-ounce minimum for donations is waived for bereaved parents and any amount of milk is accepted.
Some donors get screened before collecting milk to donate and others decide to donate when they realize they’re producing plenty of milk or have a mega stash in their freezer. In any case, all donors begin by answering some quick questions online about their medical history (mothersmilk.org/donate-milk) or by phone (877.375.6645 (option 3). This is followed up with a few more forms and a blood test, with all costs paid for by the milk bank.
The Mother’s Milk Bank would like to make it easier for Santa Cruz County parents to donate milk by locating a collection depot somewhere in the county to drop off frozen milk. Those who might be interested in becoming a collection depot can find out more at the May 2, event or contact the Milk Bank for more information.
Human Milk Drive
May 2, 10am-2pm
at Watsonville Hospital
5 Nielson St, Watsonville
Mother’s Milk Bank – Mothersmilk.org
877.375.6645
santacruzhealth.org – search Breastfeeding CoalitionBir
By Laura Maxson LM
Laura Maxson has been the director of Birth Network since 1998. She became an advocate in the early ’80s after experiencing a lack of information and choice around birth and breastfeeding. Laura has worked as a breastfeeding counselor, childbirth educator, doula, and homebirth midwife.
