Receiving Milk from the Mothers’ Milk Bank
Reasons that a baby might need donor human milk
The majority of the milk dispensed by the Mothers’ Milk Bank goes to babies with a medical need for it. These include but are not limited to:
- Prematurity
- Feeding intolerance (including vomiting or diarrhea)
- Immune problems (constant colds, hospital visits)
- Any medically indicated supplementation of a breastfed baby (hypoglycemia or jaundice, gut priming or trophic feeds)
- Prevention of allergies
- Metabolic disorders
In addition, we believe in getting every baby off to a good start in life, if milk is available, and therefore are able to fill some prescriptions for milk if a baby is adopted but healthy. In this case, insurance will not cover the milk.
Ordering Milk for Your Baby
A prescription written by the baby’s doctor is required to release donor human milk. A tissue processing fee is charged which helps to defray some of the costs associated with the screening of the donors and processing of the milk. At the time of this writing, it is $3.50 per ounce plus shipping, unless it is picked up at our location. Medical insurance sometimes covers the cost of the milk when there is a demonstrated medical need for the milk on the part of the infant. Please contact the Mothers’ Milk Bank for more details on insurance coverage and payment options. We take Visa and Master Card, cash or checks.
Receiving Milk for Your Hospital
All nursery staff should be alert to identifying babies who will benefit from the unique properties of human milk when mother’s own milk is not available. In particular, babies whose mothers intend to breastfeed should be provided with donor milk rather than other feeding products. Feedings for all infants with any type of fragile medical condition can, and should be, human milk. Many hospitals nation-wide are currently keeping donor human milk on hand for their patients. The Mothers’ Milk Bank in Denver maintains an ample supply of screened donor milk at all times, immediately available for use.
Two types of utilization
- Stock supply is the easiest, most cost-effective, and best because it provides immediate availability for premiere patient care, such as in cases of hypoglycemia, any need for immediate feeds, etc. First choice for most hospitals. Usual stock is 30 to 100 oz. Also saves much staff time – can dispense immediately, without need to order for each use. Saves on shipping costs by avoiding repeated deliveries of small amounts.
- Milk for an individual patient is shipped when ordered M-Th, usually for next-day delivery
Types of milk available
Hospital Milk/Full term, Non-fat full term and when available, Preterm, Early Preterm and Early Full Term
- Hospital/Full Term: (20 cal or higher) for infants at or over 36 weeks gestation
- 4 oz bottles
- Also used routinely for premies if preterm not available
- Preterm: for infants under 1500 grams and/or less than 36 weeks gestation
- 2 oz bottles (when available)
- Non-fat: for chylothorax therapy (0.0 – 0.3% fat)
- Early Preterm: from first 7-10 days post partum
- 2 oz bottles (when available)
Hospital is billed by Milk Bank for donor milk just as for any other stock item
- Tissue processing fee: $3.50 per ounce
- If shipped, actual shipping cost is applied
- Some hospitals may charge patient; many do not
Ordering donor milk from the Mothers’ Milk Bank is quite simple and requires few steps
Hospital Stock
- Purchase order system established so orders can be placed by Purchasing or staff
- Staff notifies Purchasing of milk needs and delivery date requested
- OR: Staff notifies Milk Bank directly of milk and delivery needs
- Purchasing Department (or Nursing/Medical Staff) orders from Mothers’ Milk Bank by fax with follow-up phone call, or by phone call, with assigned Purchase Order
- Desired date of delivery must be indicated
- Delivery location address included
- Milk handling guidelines included from Mothers’ Milk Bank with initial order
If milk is to be used for one specific infant
- A doctor’s order (chart notes) or prescription will need to be faxed to the Mothers’ Milk Bank at (303) 869-2490. The order should include:
- Baby’s name
- Date
- “Donor Human Milk from Milk Bank” – if known: the amount needed per day; or “PRN”
- Type of milk desired (Milk Bank staff will communicate with facility staff if there are questions)
- Length of time baby is to receive milk, and number of refills
- Indication for the milk, or diagnosis
- A short history form to be filled out
- Written permission from the baby’s parents or guardian.
- Mothers’ Milk Bank “Recipient Information and Consent” form signed at the time the milk is delivered.
- This form will be included in the recipient packet sent with the milk.
- Payment method established.
- Hospital providing as part of routine care/other therapy – Purchase Order used.
- Some parents may pay out of pocket, especially if the amount is small or for short-term use.
- Others will want to try insurance coverage. May be most effective if handled through hospital, but MMB may file as a courtesy to parents, so would work directly with family.
- Desired delivery date and location is required.
- Log-out/dispensing records kept as per facility policies and procedures.
Please call during regular business hours if there are questions about this procedure, or to set up your facility’s account with the Mothers’ Milk Bank in Denver: (303)869-1888.
We look forward to helping you provide safe, up-to-date patient care and optimum customer service for your patients and their families!
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