National Milk Bank

Why You Should Donate:

All babies need breast milk, but some, especially premature babies, have an extra need. Preemies are babies born before the 37th week of pregnancy. These tiny infants need human milk's rich nutrients and disease-fighting protection to grow. Breast milk is also beneficial for babies with failure to thrive, babies who cannot digest formula, and babies with allergies.

It is best for a mother to nurse her own baby, but sometimes this is not possible. Moms who may not be able to nurse a baby include those who:

• Have adopted their children
• Do not make enough milk
• Do not begin making milk quickly enough
• Have a serious infection or are critically ill

For these moms, donor milk is an excellent option.

Many lactating mothers donate their extra milk to help babies in need. Some contribute because they see their own baby thriving and want to provide help and nutrition to others less fortunate. Other mothers donate because they are aware of the tremendous benefits of breast milk and want to support the growth and long-term health of premature or sick infants.

Breast milk is vital to a baby's growth and it is important to distinguish that not all milk is the same. Mother's milk is ideal for infants because it is a complex fluid containing more than 100,000 different elements specialized to support human growth, development and long-term health. Breast milk also tastes different every time a baby nurses. This unique benefit helps babies enjoy many different foods later in life.

Cow's milk has many of the same nutrients as breast milk, but not in the right levels for a baby. While it is well-balanced for calves, cow's milk lacks vital elements that a human baby needs. The nutrients in cow's milk can also be hard for a human infant to digest. Additionally, feeding cow's milk to an infant too early can cause allergies later in life. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that mothers avoid giving their infants cow's milk during the first year of life.

Formula, such as that found in the grocery store, provides the same basic nutrition found in breast milk, but unique and crucial breast milk elements - the protective proteins, enzymes and more - are not found in formula or cow's milk. These nutrients cannot be artificially synthesized which is why breast milk is best.

Breast milk is best for infants because:

• It has the right balance of nutrients to help a baby grow
• It gives babies essential enzymes needed to break down food
• It provides babies the protection they need to fight germs and stay healthy

There are many benefits for donors as well as breastfeeding mothers. After giving birth, breastfeeding can:

• Help a woman return to her pre-pregnancy weight. The body makes milk from the fat stored during pregnancy, which can help a woman lose weight quickly
• Shrink a woman's hips through the release of a hormone called oxytocin. Hips expand during pregnancy to make room for the baby
• Help a mother bond with her baby
• Delay the return of a woman's period
• Ease bleeding from childbirth
• Help a woman retain iron, reducing the risk of anemia (low iron in blood)
• Give a mother the confidence that she is doing everything she can to make sure her baby is healthy

These are just some of the benefits breastfeeding can provide after delivery. It also helps women's long-term health. Studies show that breastfeeding may reduce a woman's chance of getting cancer of the ovaries, uterus or breasts, as well as lessen the risk of developing arthritis and certain types of heart disease. It can also decrease the chance of getting osteoporosis.

Almost any nursing mother can donate. If you are healthy with a good medical history, you are a likely candidate. You just have to answer some questions about your health and have your blood tested for any problems or diseases. After that, you should be able to donate.

If you decide to donate you should first discuss your decision with your doctor to make sure it is the right for you. Then, contact the Donations Coordinator to discuss your donation options.