Great NW Milk Drive to benefit Northwest infants

Northwest Mothers Milk Bank’s goal is to screen and approve five new donors and collect 1,500 ounces of human donor milk to serve the most medically fragile infants in the region.

“Donating milk is an amazing gift, one that provides the best start in life to those who need it most,” said Jennifer McCauley, nurse and lactation consultant at PHRMH.

Scientific evidence has shown that human milk provides a specific nutritional balance for newborn babies. When a baby is born prematurely, the mother’s body may not be ready or able to produce breast milk immediately. The only nonprofit milk bank in the Pacific Northwest, the Northwest Mothers Milk Bank ensures that milk from Northwest mothers benefits Northwest babies. The Northwest Mothers Milk Bank supports the proven infant health benefits of human milk and provides local sourcing and distribution through safe screening and pasteurization of donor human milk.

To start the process of becoming a milk donor, call the Northwest Mothers Milk Bank at 800-204-4444 for a 10-minute preliminary phone screening. Following the screening, potential donors will be asked to fill out a questionnaire, consent form and medical release, and then to take a free blood test. Approved donors will be able to drop off their milk Aug. 6 at Providence Hood River Hospital.

Providence Hood River became a donor drop off site in March of 2014. Since offering donor milk as an option for vulnerable infants with a medical need for supplementation, the use of formula has been greatly reduced. The hospital also recently received national recognition as a “Baby Friendly” hospital. This honor is awarded to hospitals who implement optimal practices related to breastfeeding.

For more information, contact Northwest Mothers Milk Bank at 503-469-0955 or Providence Hood River Lactation Clinic and Store at 541-387-6344.