Mothers' Milk Bank at Austin

I donated my milk last week! I calculated how much I had and wow! 255 ounces! It was all rather simple too. I took it in plastic grocery bags (in a cooler) and made a hand off when I arrived at the Milk Bank. On Saturday, I went and had my blood drawn so that they could test me for various diseases in order to ensure my milk was disease-free. It is super easy and I will continue to donate; probably in 50 oz. increments. The milk bank has also provided the containers to store and freeze the milk in. Here is some interesting information on human milk donation! Have a great week!

The Mothers' Milk Bank at Austin is a non-profit organization whose mission is to accept, pasteurize and dispense donor human milk by physician prescription primarily to premature and ill infants. Vision: The Mothers' Milk Bank at Austin will be a leader in advancing the use of donor human milk to improve the quality of human life.

Guiding Values

We believe in the importance of breastfeeding for all infants.
We are dedicated to educating the medical and general community about the importance of donor human milk.
We believe in research to enhance the knowledge of human donor milk benefits.
We are dedicated to continuous improvement in the processes that allow us to serve our clients.
We recognize and appreciate the importance of volunteers and donors to the success of our organization.
We value independence from commercial influence and are dedicated to operating as a non-profit organization.
We value coordination and collaboration with other organizations with common interests.
We recognize the importance of community support.

Why do babies need human milk?
It is especially critical for preterm or ill infants who are at greater risk for intestinal infections. Human milk contains antibodies to fight disease and infection and also protects against allergies. It contains growth hormones to help babies develop and properties that have been shown to increase intelligence and decrease the risks of obesity and diabetes later in life. Mom’s own milk is always preferable but when it is not available, milk given generously by screened donor mothers is the next best alternative.

Common reasons for prescribing donor milk include:

Prematurity
Failure to thrive
Malabsorption syndromes
Allergies
Feeding/formula intolerance
Immunologic deficiencies
Pre or Post-operative nutrition
Infectious diseases

Is there a great need for milk donors?
Yes. The need for Donor Milk is high and continues to increase. The premature birth rate has been steadily increasing causing increased need for donor milk in the neonatal intensive care units. Premature infants are most in need of human milk, yet their moms are the least likely to be able to provide what they need in the earliest days of life. Mothers that have surplus milk can help fill this need and give fragile infants a chance to grow and thrive.

Who receives my milk?
Your lifesaving donated milk goes to babies in Texas and all over the United States providing them with a safe alternative when mom’s own milk is not available. The majority of Milk Bank’s recipients are hospitalized premature or sick babies who benefit from the optimal nutrition, easy digestibility, and infection-fighting components of human milk. We also serve needy babies that are at home and have a doctor’s prescription for donor milk. The diagnoses include failure to thrive, malabsorption syndrome, formula intolerance, short bowel syndrome, or general conditions related to prematurity. Without donor milk, ill and premature infants might have to endure infections, more surgery, and a lifetime of poor health.

How much milk feeds a preemie for one day?
(one ounce = two tablespoons)

A baby weighing 2 pounds takes up to 5.5 ounces of milk.
A baby weighing 4.5 pounds takes up to 12 ounces of milk.
A baby weighing 6.5 pounds takes up to 18 ounces of milk.