How milk banks work - The Orange County Register

Milk banks, like blood banks, provide to those most in need. They also rely on volunteers, test their supplies and can experience shortages.

Q. Who needs donated milk?

A. Premature babies are the biggest consumers of pasteurized breast milk. Most insurance companies will cover the cost of banked milk if it is medically necessary, according to the nonprofit Mothers Milk Bank in San Jose.

Q. Are donors paid?

A. No. Most milk banks are nonprofits and rely on donations, just like for blood or organs.

Q. How much does milk cost?

A. Children's Hospital of Orange County pays $3 per ounce and buys about 4,500 to 5,000 ounces from Mothers Milk Bank per year, said Caroline Steele, director of clinical nutrition and lactation services.

Q. What does it take to become a donor?

A. Mothers must fill out health questionnaires and undergo a blood test before beginning to donate.

Q. What happens to the milk?

A. The milk from several donors is pooled after thawing, and then heat-treated to kill any bacteria or viruses, according to the Human Milk Banking Association of North America. The milk is processed and then refrozen. It is only dispensed after a sample is cultured and shows no bacteria growth.

Q. Does pasteurization change the nutritional value of breast milk?

A. A little bit. "It makes some slight changes, but really the majority of both the nutritional and anti-infective properties of milk are all maintained, even with the pasteurization process. It's definitely second to mom's own milk," Steele said.

Q. Is there a typical donor?

A. It varies. "There are moms who work full time who are pumping while they're at work," said Loren Kosmont, a spokeswoman for Prolacta, which is affiliated with South Coast Milk Bank in Irvine. "There are stay-at-home moms who are pumping and they have extra. It really comes down to if that mom has surplus milk and she knows she can do something with it. It's really painful to have to pour that liquid gold down the drain."

Contact the writer: cperkes@ocregister.com 714-796-3686

Source: http://www.ocregister.com/articles/milk-497540-bank-donors.html

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