Mother's Milk Bank, located in Arvada, Colorado has been saving babies with donations of human milk since 1984. Human milk is perfect nutrition for newborn babies. When babies are born prematurely or with health problems, mothers milk can make a critical difference in the health of a struggling baby. When a baby's mother is unable to provide her own milk for her baby, donated milk may be available through the hospital or other medical provider. Most of the milk donated is used for babies in the NICU of a hospital. Some milk is used for older babies with severe medical complications.
Mother's Milk Bank provides hospitals around the country and world with donated mothers milk. Milk donors are carefully screened for health and lifestyle factors, and Mother's Milk Bank is very particular about which mothers they choose for donors. After undergoing an interview the potential donor is screened through blood tests, ensuring they are in optimal health, free from drugs and tobacco.
The donated milk is collected, frozen, then shipped to the donation lab where milk is processed in a clean laboratory. The lab must be in a sealed, "clean room" in order to prevent bacteria from infecting the donated milk. Milk is thawed, tested, pasteurized and mixed with other donor milk for optimal nutritional content.
Mother's Milk Bank provides babies with 5 different types of donated milk; 1) milk from mothers of full-term babies, 2) milk from mothers of pre-term babies, 3) colostrum, newborn milk 4) milk from mothers who are dairy free, 5) non-fat milk, where the milk has been removed in the lab.
Mother's milk donors are always needed. To become a donor call Mother's Milk Bank at 303-869-1888, or visit their website at milkbankcolorado.org. Mother's Milk Bank is a non-profit program of the Rocky Mountain Children's Health Foundation.
