Donate Milk. Save Babies…

Because just one ounce can save a life.

“Mother’s milk is liquid gold for babies who are fighting for their lives. It can mean the difference between life and death.” – Dr. Jeffrey Hanson, Neonatologist at Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children

Can I donate milk?

Taking care of your baby is your first priority. Once you’ve established your milk supply and your own baby’s needs, becoming a donor might be an option for you. Use these simple guidelines to determine whether you can donate milk:

You are LIKELY to qualify as a donor if:

• You are in generally good health
• You are a non smoker
• You are taking no medications on a regular basis

How do I become a donor?

1. Call the Milk Bank at 303.869.1888 or visit our website.
2. Our trained lactation consultants will do a short phone pre-screening.
3. We will then send you the comprehensive screening form to fill out and send back.
4. Next, our lactation consultant will call you to set up a blood test, at no cost to you.
5. Once you sign the donor consent formand your doctor signs the medical release form, you are ready to donate milk.
6. We will provide you with containers and make arrangements to pick up your milk.

That is all there is to it!

NOTE: In most cases, we accept previously collected milk. Please call for more information.

What happens to your milk after you become a donor?

1. Milk is received and stored in large freezers maintained at -20° C or colder.
2. Milk is pooled together into large flasks, then poured into sanitized glass bottles.
3. The bottles are placed in a pasteurizer, brought to 62.5° C, and pasteurized for 30 minutes.
4. The bottles are cooled immediately, labeled and placed in freezers.
5. A small sample of the milk is analyzed to assess fats, proteins and lactose.
6. A sample from each batch is sent to the lab to be tested for any bacterial growth.
7. Once approved, the milk is sent coast to coast to babies in hospitals and homes.

Please call RCPC for more information: (907) 456-9000

Mothers’ Milk Bank is a program of Rocky Mountain Children’s Health Foundation.

Download the full brochure (PDF)