The Mothers’ Milk Bank of North Texas: The Lifesaving Gift of Donor Human Milk

Donor human milk is precious, lifesaving nourishment for premature and critically ill infants. Here at Mothers’ Milk Bank of North Texas we work with 600 to 650 donor moms each year who donate their excess breast milk, allowing us to provide pasteurized donor human milk to fragile babies in the greater DFW-area and beyond.

Established in 2004, Mothers’ Milk Bank of North Texas operates under the guidelines of the Human Milk Banking Association of North America as one of twelve milk banks in the United States that accepts and pasteurizes donor human milk, and dispenses it by prescription to infants in need. More than 30,000 ounces of donor human milk are distributed per month to the 70 hospitals we serve. And although the number of donor moms increases every year, demand for donor human milk continues to outpace supply. This year we still need 300 donor moms in order to meet hospital demand.

Here’s the reason why demand is so high: The use of human milk, in place of other nutritional methods such as formula, greatly increases the survivability and development of the ill and premature infants. For some newborns it is the difference between life and death. One of the very serious complications that premature infants are at risk for is a condition called necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). The mortality rate for infants that acquire NEC is reported to be more than 65%. Research indicates 15% of formula-fed infants acquire NEC, compared to less than 2% of infants fed human milk. Therefore, it is imperative to supply Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) in North Texas with donor human milk, and research shows the benefits of breast milk have a significant positive effect on physical and emotional health well throughout any child’s life.

The nutrients in human milk give the most fragile babies a strong and healthy chance at life. The Mothers’ Milk Bank of North Texas urges lactating mothers with a child under the age of one, who also have a surplus of breast milk, to consider being screened as a donor mom. We personally work with each mom to ensure her donation process is simple and stress-free. And it is free!

A potential donor’s first step is to call Simone, the Milk Bank Donor Mom Coordinator. She takes mothers through a short phone screening. Potential donors must also take a blood test that rules out HIV, HTLV, hepatitis B and C, and syphilis. Once approved, the donor mom is able to donate her frozen breast milk at the Milk Bank office or one of the 8 depot locations in Greater DFW. If drop-off sites are not within driving range for a donor, donations may also be shipped directly to the Milk Bank. We not only cover screening and shipping fees, but storage containers are also available upon request. We ask that all donor moms commit to donating a minimum donation of 100 ounces. However, this amount can accumulate throughout the entire donation duration.

If you are a mom with excess breast milk in your freezer, then please consider becoming a donor.  Please also share information about this unique volunteer opportunity because not enough of us know about nonprofit milk banking and how it takes care of babies and the families who are watching their infant while he or she lies inside a hospital neonatal intensive care unit.

For more information please visit our website: texasmilkbank.org. Our blog includes supportive breastfeeding tips and inspirational stories from donor and recipient moms. Visit texasbreastfeeding.org to read more and comment on your favorite post.

Ready to be screened or have questions about becoming a donor mom that saves babies? Please contact Simone, Donor Mom Coordinator, at [email protected].

Established in 2004, under the guidelines of the Human Milk Banking Association of North America, Mothers’ Milk Bank of North Texas is a nonprofit organization that accepts and pasteurizes donor human milk, and dispenses it by prescription to premature and critically ill infants in the North Texas area.