Mothers' Milk Bank of North Texas has been connecting generous mothers with extra breastmilk to fragile infants for 19 years. Thanks to more than 13,000 generous donors, more than 7.5 million ounces of breastmilk have been dispensed to the babies who need it most.
Why is breastmilk important?
Premature and fragile infants are at risk of acquiring life-threatening infections. Immunological properties in human milk protect vulnerable infants from devastating diseases while improving rates of survival, growth and development.
Why is there a need for donated breastmilk?
Mothers of preterm babies oftentimes have trouble lactating and establishing an adequate milk supply. Donated breastmilk can bridge this gap until a mother can feed her own baby.
Is donated milk safe?
Numerous safeguards are in place to protect the quality and integrity of every bottle processed, including rigorous donor screenings, pasteurization and third-party microbiological testing. The milk bank's laboratoryexceeds compliance measures set by the Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA), which were developed according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and World Health Organization (WHO) standards.
Who receives donated milk?
The milk bank dispenses donor milk to babies in more than 80 North Texas NICUs and by physician prescription to outpatient babies at home. Depending on milk availability, some healthy newborns can receive donor human milk between hospital discharge and an established breastfeeding routine.
How does the milk bank support breastfeeding mothers?
An important component of the milk bank's mission is breastfeeding advocacy. A FREE breastfeeding support group called Baby Café is available in Fort Worth and virtually. Hosted by a certified lactation consultant, parents can ask questions, meet other families and receive individualized help to achieve their breastfeeding goals.
Mothers' Milk Bank of North Texas strives to improve the health and survival of infants through breastfeeding advocacy and the safe, equitable provision of pasteurized donor human milk.