Our Mission

   The Southwest Mothers' Milk Bank (SWMMB) is dedicated to providing safe, high-quality human milk to premature, medically fragile, and sick infants. We use evidence-based methods to process and distribute donor milk in strict adherence to the guidelines set by the Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA). SWMMB is committed to promoting breastfeeding and supporting ongoing lactation in an inclusive, ethical, and equitable manner. Our mission is to ensure that the most vulnerable members of our community—infants in need of life-saving nourishment—have access to the highest standard of donor milk, empowering families during their most challenging times.   

Previously known as the Human Milk Repository of New Mexico, Southwest Mothers' Milk Bank is a 501c3 nonprofit, human donor milk bank that is accredited by and a proud member of the Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA). 

We process our donors' breast milk so that it can be used by premature, medically fragile infants located in hospitals as well as by infants in the community who are in need of short term supplementation for a variety of reasons. All of our donors have been through an extensive approval process that includes medical, health, and lifestyle screenings plus blood tests. We also advocate for breastfeeding and support ongoing lactation in our community and beyond.

Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC)  is a condition that most commonly affects premature and low birth weight infants. NEC causes inflammation and death of tissues in the infant’s lower intestine and colon. Many studies have found that the best way to prevent NEC is by feeding infants exclusively human milk. While mother's own milk is best, it isn't always available. That is where Southwest Mothers' Milk Bank comes in. By providing premature, medically fragile infants with pasteurized human donor milk, we play a key role in preventing NEC and other complications. 

Since opening our doors in 2021, we have dispensed over 200,000 ounces to infants in need--providing around 500,000 preemie feedings!