LOUISVILLE, Ky. — As families with babies struggle to find enough formula, some are turning to a different way of feeding. The Milk Bank, based in Indianapolis, has seen demand for donated breast milk rise significantly.
What You Need To Know
- The Milk Bank has seen an increase in calls to both give and receive breast milk donations during the formula shortage
- Zora’s Cradle in Louisville is one of only two milk depots in Kentucky
- Breast milk donated through the Milk Bank is tested and pasteurized before being given to other families
- Usually, donated breast milk is given to newborns in the hospital
Shemika Whiteside, Executive Director of Louisville nonprofit Zora’s Cradle, said she’s noticed the increased call volume. Zora’s Cradle is one of Kentucky’s donor milk drop-off locations and one of only two milk depots where parents needing donated breast milk can pick it up in the state.
“My fear at the moment definitely is the donors. If we keep going at the rate that we’re going and we don’t have as many donors, can we meet the need?,” Whiteside said of the formula shortage’s impact on breast milk donations. “I am really worried about the babies and the moms at the moment with feeding. It’s scary.”
The Milk Bank’s Advancement Director, Jenna Streit, said while the group’s major region of service in Kentucky, Indiana and Missouri used to get about 30 calls a month from families needing donations, now they can get more than that in a day.
“Typically, we’re supporting a family with a small amount of milk in the first 10 days of baby’s life. Maybe they’re building their supply, their milk hasn’t come in yet, baby’s having some sort of difficulty latching,” Streit explained. “So it’s kind of new for us then to have an influx of requests from families that have maybe healthy babies.”
Thankfully, Streit said mothers with plenty of milk have also been calling. The Milk Bank has been keeping busy bottling as many donations as it can while still sticking to strict safety screenings and regulations.
All donations go to Indianapolis for testing and pasteurization before heading to milk depots, where families in need can pick them up.
“I’m overwhelmed at the number of moms who are reaching out, who are going to do extra pump sessions or re-lactate or continue pumping after baby has weaned so that they can help take care of babies in their community. It’s incredible,” Streit said.
Families with small babies can receive up to 40 ounces of breast milk without a prescription from a pediatrician.
At $4.50 an ounce, it is much more costly than formula. However, The Milk Bank says it will work with struggling families to make sure they can get what they need, even if they can’t afford it.