More than 15,000 babies in the tri-state region start their lives in the NICU instead of their parents’ arms.
And for these babies, ensuring the best possible start begins with breast milk. The benefits range from less chance of serious infection, easy digestion, and lasting cognitive benefits. Plus, premature infants who receive breast milk are more likely to go home sooner and make the transition to exclusive breastfeeding once home. When maternal milk is unavailable, the Three Rivers Mothers’ Milk Bank can step in to provide carefully screened and thoroughly processed donor milk.
The Milk Bank celebrated its one-year anniversary last month. Just in their first year, they distributed more than 70,000 ounces of life saving milk to hospitals and families in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, and parts of New Jersey. On February 2, the Milk Bank’s Open House gave the community a chance to tour the facility and learn more about their mission. Pittsburgh Moms Blog was there to talk to the staff and share their story.
Did You Know? The Milk Bank combines donor milk from 3-5 moms to balance nutrients for its tiny recipients.
Just an Idea
In 2013, when the milk bank was still just an idea, regional clinicians and foundations were talking about how to
address Allegheny County’s infant mortality rate, which was among the highest in the country. Denise O’Connor, Founder and Executive Director, said that “we [came] along with a relatively inexpensive solution,” and “since opening last January, every hospital [with a Level 3 neonatal intensive care unit] in the western half of the state uses our donor milk.”
They surpassed initial goals so much that they have enough donor milk for outpatients and maternity hospitals without a neonatal intensive care unit. “We are quickly evolving in ways that took other states years to get to this point,” Denise said. Her goal is to have the milk bank woven into our region’s maternity culture. And yet, the end goal is “getting more maternal milk into babies. Donor milk is just a tool to support breastfeeding.”
What’s Next?
So what’s next for Three Rivers Mothers’ Milk Bank? They accelerated some programs due to higher than projected amounts of donor milk, such as outpatient services and a weekly support group for bereaved moms on Thursday evenings. Soon, they expect to launch an outpatient free care fund, a combo dinner date/lactation class for new parents, and a lactation services community support group for African American moms.
Donation Guidelines
The Milk Bank is always looking for donors. If you’re considering donating, there are a few things to keep in mind.
- Milk must be pumped on or before your baby’s first birthday.
- You cannot smoke or consume herbs, including fenugreek and Mother’s Milk Tea.
- Some dietary supplements are off-limits (prenatal and postnatal vitamins are okay).
- Thoroughly wash your hands and sterilize pump parts after each use.
- Donated milk can be accepted if it’s stored in a fridge/freezer combo for up to 3 months, or up to 6 months in an upright freezer.
Many medications are completely compatible with donated breast milk, including some anti- depressants. Answers to more frequently asked questions are here.
On behalf of the Pittsburgh Moms Blog, happy birthday to the Three Rivers Mothers’ Milk Bank! You are changing the conversation about breastfeeding in our region, and we can’t wait to see what 2017 brings.
Are you a past recipient of donor milk? They would love to hear from you! Click here to visit their Contact Page at http://www.threeriversmilkbank.org/contact/.
