Receive Milk

Why use pasteurized donor milk

Exclusive Breastfeeding Benefits for Babies

Lower Rates of:

Allergies
Asthma
Celiac Disease
Crohn's Disease
Ear and Lung Infections
Leukemia
Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC)
Obesity and Diabetes
Pneumonia
Sepsis
Stomach Bugs and Colds
Sudden Infant Death
Ulcerative Colitis
Vomiting and Diarrhea

Other Benefits:

Passive Immunity
Healthier Weight Gain
Increased Neurological Development
- Better Academic Performance
- Better Social Interactions
- Higher Levels of Overall Success
Increased Eye and Vision Development
Better Long-Term Outcomes
- Less Doctor's Appointments
- Lower Healthcare Costs

Safety and Quality of Human Donor Milk

Exclusive Breastfeeding Benefits for Babies

Safety Measures:

Comprehensive Donor Screening
- Health, Medication, and Lifestyle Screening
- Provider Release
- Blood Work
  - Hepatitis B
  - Hepatitis C
  - HIV I/II
  - HTLV I/II
  - Syphilis
- Ongoing Screenings at EVERY Donation
Pasteurization
- Kills Potentially Harmful Bacteria and Viruses
- Bacteria Screening
  - Independent Third-Party Lab Used
  - No Bacterial Growth is Accepted

Quality Measures:

Pooling
- Three or More Donors in Each Batch
- Increased Nutritional Value
- Balanced Nutritional Content
- Larger Exposure to Different Diets and Immunity
Small Batches
- Better Control Over Processing
- More Samples Sent for Screening
Well-Regulated, Constantly Monitored Freezers

Recipient Prioritization

Southwest Mothers' Milk Bank will dispense milk based on the order in which the request is made. If we ever experience a shortage of donor milk, we will limit the quantity dispensed to each individual infant in order to provide the benefits of donor milk to the maximum number of infants. In the event of an extreme shortage, Southwest Mothers' Milk Bank will dispense to hospitals first. Only after hospital orders have been fulfilled will be dispense donor milk to infants in the community based on need.

Guideline for Donor Milk Allocation

Recipient Factors
- Age
- Projected Length of Need
- Medical Condition(s)
- Prognosis
- Prevention of Problems
- Research
Maternal Factors
- Insufficient Milk Supply
- Medical Contraindications to Breastfeeding
- Adoption/Fostering
- Choice
Time Factors
- Short vs Long-Term Use
- Recovery Period
- Preventative Treatment

Milk Money Fund

Bridge Scholarship

All New Mexico infants are eligible for a one-time Bridge Scholarship that brings the cost of the first 40 ounces of donor milk down to $150. This scholarship is meant to give families time to overcome a short-term, temporary issue with supply by utilizing resources such as lactation consultants (IBCLCs) or during the days following birth before milk has fully come in. No applications need to be filled out to receive a Bridge Scholarship because the Southwest Mothers' Milk Bank believes that all babies deserve the best nutrition and that by providing donor milk when mother's own milk is not available we can save lives and prevent families from relying on formula instead of continuing their breastfeeding journey.

Milk Money Fund

Bridge Scholarship

Southwest Mothers' Milk Bank receives funding through grants and community support.

Our Milk Money Fund Provides Funding For:

The Bridge Scholarship
Other Scholarships
Community Outreach
- Community Events
- Educational Materials
Community Support
- Baby Weigh Clinic
- Lactation Support
Equipment and Supplies