THE POWER OF HUMAN MILK:
A Parent’s Guide
Breastmilk: Every Drop Contains a Miracle
Provides complete nutritional support
Supports immune system and brain development
Builds a balanced gut biome with good bacteria
Contains human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), special prebiotics unique to human milk
Naturally adapts to infant needs over time
Protects premature and fragile infants from developing necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a life-threatening intestinal disease
According to the CDC...
Only 1 in 4 infants is breastfed for the recommended first six months of life.
Breastfeedingmothers have reduced risks of high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, ovarian and breast cancers.
“Breastfeeding provides unmatched health benefits for babies and mothers. It is the clinical gold standard for infant feeding and nutrition, with breast milk uniquely tailored to meet the health needs of a growing baby.”
-Dr. Ruth Petersen, Director of CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity
Breastfedinfants have reduced risks of asthma, obesity, type 1 diabetes, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), ear, respiratory and gastrointestinal infections, and NEC for preterm infants.
When mom’s own milk is not available...
Donor Milk: Helping Babies Thrive
What is donor milk?
Donor milk is donated breastmilk that is screened, pasteurized and tested before being sent to hospitals and families when a mother’s own breastmilk is not available.
Why is donor milk used in hospitals?
If a mother experiences delayed lactation or can’t provide her own breastmilk, which is common in the NICU, pasteurized donor milk is recommended.
Who receives donor milk?
Premature and fragile infants in hospital NICUs are prioritized to receive the majority of donor milk because of its immunological and lifesaving benefits.
Outpatient babies with a medical need receive donor milk by prescription.
Healthy newborns receive donor milk based on availability.
For information on donor milk programs...see back page.
“The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends pasteurized donor human milk when a mother’s milk is not available or is contraindicated.”
- AAP 2022 Policy Statement
Mothers’ Milk Bank of North Texas
We are a nonprofitmilkbank serving North Texas NICUs and families from our facility in Fort Worth. Our mission is to improve the health and survival of infants through breastfeedingadvocacy and the safe, equitable provision of pasteurizeddonorhumanmilk.
We are a proud member of the Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA) and work alongside more than 30 nonprofit milk banks to help save little lives through the distribution of donor milk.
More than 9.5 million ounces of donor milk dispensed to babies who needed it most.
Milk Bank Safety: Our Top Priority
Accredited by:
We follow best practices and accreditation standards set by HMBANA so every ounce of donor milk meets the highest level of safety and quality.
Each donor is carefully screened.
Each ounce of donor milk is pasteurized and tested.
Each safety standard is based on scientific evidence and set by HMBANA and the FDA.
