Providing breast milk is the best way to help premature infants get the nutrition and disease protection they need. Children’s Hospital of Iowa will soon open the Mother’s Milk Bank. It will be the first in the Midwest – and one of only six in the nation – to provide donated breast milk to infants in need:

"The milk bank will initially will be for the hospitalized infants in the special care nurseries. Ultimately, we hope to be able to provide for all the hospitalized premature infants throughout the state of Iowa," says Jean Drulis, UI Pediatric Nutrition Program associate. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breast milk for all infants – especially premature babies. Breast milk has antibodies and other substances that protect against disease and infection. But preemies are so tiny, they’re usually unable to take milk directly from their mothers. The mother then has to pump the milk, which is fed by tube to the baby. That can slow or even stop the flow of their mother’s breast milk:

"Unfortunately, many mothers are not able to provide milk to their babies, and those babies are currently fed formula. We think it’s very important that they also receive the benefits of mother’s milk," says Ekhard Ziegler, M.,D., UI professor of pediatrics.

The Division of Pediatric Nutrition at University of Iowa Children's Hospital hopes to provide donated breast milk to about 200 premature infants each year. Other Iowa hospitals will also benefit from this service.

There is still a financial need to help this program grow. To support the Mother’s Milk Bank, call 877-891-5347. Or visit http://www.uihealthcare.com/milkbank/ .

Just as with blood donors, milk bank donors will be carefully screened. All donated milk will be pasteurized and tested to ensure its safety.

For more information:

Mother's Milk Bank

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