Did you know?

Why use pasteurized donor human milk?

In the absence of the infant’s own mother’s milk, pasteurized donor human milk offers many of the same benefits for the infant, such as optimal nutrition, easy digestibility, and immunologic protection against many organisms and diseases.
Human milk also contains growth factors that can protect immature tissue, promote maturation, particularly in the gastrointestinal tract, and promote healing of tissue damaged by infection.

Reasons for prescribing pasteurized donor human milk include:

  • Prematurity
  • Allergies
  • Feeding/formula intolerance
  • Immunologic deficiencies
  • Post-operative nutrition
  • Infectious diseases
  • Inborn errors of metabolism
  • Moms who cannot nurse their babies for medical reasons, but they want their baby to benefit from human milk
  • Adoptive parents who want human milk instead of formula for their baby

Is pasteurized donor human milk safe?

The Indiana Mothers’ Milk Bank follows strict screening, processing, and dispensing guidelines established by the Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA) to ensure the safety of pasteurized donor human milk. These guidelines have been established with the advisement of the Centers for Disease Control, the Food and Drug Administration, and the blood and tissue industries. Potential donors provide complete medical and lifestyle histories, and undergo blood tests, similar to the screening process used at blood banks. Donated milk is then tested for bacteria and levels of nutrients, and pasteurized to kill any bacteria or viruses. Before the pasteurized milk is dispensed, bacteriological testing is done to ensure its safety.

DONATING

How do I become a human milk donor?

The process of becoming a human milk donor is simple and IMMB covers the costs. The process entails a prescreening, filling out some brief paperwork, and undergoing a blood test at our expense. For more detailed information about the donor screening process, please visit our How to Donate page.

If you have experienced a loss, please accept our deepest sympathy during this time. We strive to offer the opportunity to heal through donation as part of our Garrett’s Gift Bereavement Donation Program. If you are interested in donating, please contact IMMB by email at milkdonor@immb.org or by phone at 317-536-1670 or toll-free at 877-829-7470.

How much do I have to donate? Is there a minimum?

In order to offset our screening and processing costs, we ask for a minimum donation of 100 ounces.

My baby is over a year old, can I still donate my milk?

We accept milk up to your baby’s first birthday, but it can’t be older than 6 months from the date it was pumped.

Why can you only accept milk until the baby is 12 months old?

The components and composition of human milk changes over time to reflect the age of your baby and his/her needs. Since we supply mainly premature and ill infants in hospitals, we want to make sure the milk they are receiving is as closely matched to infant age as possible.

I’m a vegetarian or vegan, can I still be a donor?

Absolutely! Please consult your health care provider regarding any vitamin or supplements you may need to take.

I have a lot of milk already stored in my freezer, can I still donate it?

Yes, we accept milk donations that have been frozen for no longer than six months from the date it was pumped, once you have been approved as a donor.

Is it safe to take any pain relief or cold medications?

Occasional uses of pain relief medications, such as acetaminophen, are acceptable. However, there are other forms of over-the-counter medications that may be safe for your baby, but would exclude you as a donor because donated milk goes to fragile babies who can’t tolerate these medications. For any questions, please contact us!

I have an occasional glass of wine or alcohol – does this exclude me from donating?

No, you can still donate. However, please contact IMMB for further instructions on pumping and collecting for IMMB following a glass of wine or alcoholic beverage.

What if I’m taking antidepressants?

Unfortunately, we can’t accept donations if you are taking any antidepressants.

I’m on birth control, can I still donate?

Yes, most birth control medications are safe to use when donating milk. Please make sure to indicate which birth control medication you are taking on the medical history form.

Can I take herbal supplements?

There are some herbal supplements that may be safe for your baby, but may be harmful to the babies who use donated milk. Ask the Donor Mother Coordinator about any herbal supplements you are taking.

What other factors might disqualify me from becoming a donor?

  • You have a positive blood test result for HIV, HTLV, Hepatitis B or C, or Syphilis
  • You or your sexual partner is at risk for HIV
  • You use illegal drugs
  • You smoke or use tobacco products
  • You have received an organ or tissue transplant or a blood transfusion in the last 4 months
  • You regularly have more than two alcoholic drinks per day
  • Between 1980-1996, you were in the United Kingdom for more than 3 months or in Europe for more than 5 years
  • You were born, lived in traveled to, or had sexual contact with anyone in an African country since 1977

I have milk stored from 3 months ago, can you accept milk older than three months?

If milk has been stored in the freezer, we accept milk up to 6 months from the date it was pumped.

How long does it take to become an approved donor?

The approval process can take anywhere from 1-4 weeks, depending on how quickly you return your paperwork and get your blood work done, and how soon we receive the completed health forms from your healthcare providers. Once you become an approved milk donor mom, we will call you to arrange to have your milk shipped, picked up, or dropped off!

Where do I get blood drawn? Do I have to pay?

If you are in the Central Indiana area, you can visit one of the IU Health Laboratories to get your blood drawn free of cost. If you are located outside the Central Indiana area or are out of state, we will send you a blood collection kit that contains all the materials needed for a blood draw. You can take it to any health care provider or lab of your choice. The lab will then mail the blood samples back to IMMB using the prepaid UPS shipping label. In some instances, the lab may ask you to drop the blood samples off at a UPS drop-off location.

PS – IMMB is a small, nonprofit organization with limited resources. Typically, your health care provider will draw the blood free of cost if you inform them that you are donating your milk to IMMB. If they do insist on charging you to draw your blood, please keep the receipt and we will reimburse you!

SHIPPING

How do I get my donation to IMMB?

If you live in Central Indiana, you can drop off your donation during our regular business hours, or we can arrange to have someone pick it up for you. If you live outside Central Indiana, or are an out-of-state donor, we will send you cooler boxes along with prepaid UPS shipping labels and instructions on how to ship the milk. We also have Milk Depots throughout Indiana and beyond where you can drop off your milk and they will ship it to us. Visit our Milk Depot locations page for more information.

When is the best time to ship my milk donation?

It is best to ship the milk by Wednesday, so we receive it before the weekend. We’d hate for that liquid gold to thaw in transit!

How do I get dry ice?

You can search for the nearest dry ice location at www.dryicedirectory.com. In addition, you can check large grocery stores, pharmacies, ice cream stores, or ice distribution companies in your community. You will need 5 pounds of dry ice per box shipped and it is usually around $1.50 per pound. When you ship your human milk donation, please include your receipt (with your name and address on the back) if you wish to be reimbursed for the cost of the dry ice.