In May of 2021, Myrtue's Birthing Center became the 39th Mother's Milk
Collection Depot. The Birthing Center is now where women can take their
breastmilk to be frozen, stored, sent in, pasteurized, and donated to
babies in need. Women complete a health history questionnaire and bloodwork
screening to determine if they can donate.
Pictured above at the official Mother's Milk Bank opening are (L to R):
Lyndsey Havens, RN, Lisa Beck, RN, Megan Gettys, RN, Lanette Peterson,
RN, Michele Monson, RNC, and Cara Cacy, RN, IBCLC.
“We are very excited to partner with the Mother’s Milk Bank
of Iowa to become a breast milk depot,” states Birthing Center Director,
Michele Monson, RNC-OB. “The Mother’s Milk Bank of Iowa has
wanted a depot in southwest Iowa and we look forward to providing this
service to our community.”
Who Benefits from Donor Human Milk?
More than two decades of research have established that human milk is the
perfect food for infants. It protects them from illness – infants
on human milk have lower hospital admission rates, fewer ear infections,
rashes, and allergies, as well as less diarrhea. Human milk is even more
important for premature infants. Human milk contains many ingredients
not found in formula. It is full of immune system boosters and infection-fighting
factors, and contains unique proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and enzymes
necessary for tiny infants to survive.
Donations go to the most fragile, vulnerable, and at-risk babies in hospitals
across the country. Some indications of an infant in need of donor human
milk include:
Hospitalized premature infants
Infants born with immunological defects
Insufficient milk supply
Adopted infants
Mother illness requiring brief cessation of breast feeding
What are the Qualification to being a Donor?
To be a milk donor, you must be in good health and be willing to pump and
store milk according to milk bank standards, as well as donate a minimum
of 200 ounces of milk. Donors must also be:
Non-smoking
Not taking medication (with a few exceptions)
Should not consume alcohol 12 hours before pumping milk to donate
Are not taking herbal supplements, including herbs in multivitamin (multivitamin
is not an exclusion)
Myrtue Medical Center had its first donor in July 2021. Cara Casy, IBCLC,
Myrtue's Lactation Consultant, was able to receive the first Milk Bank
donation from Emily Raney.
"Although the main reason I donate my milk is to help and support
other families, I find it rewarding on my end as well. It is so fulfilling
to know that my contributions will help babies thrive and grow,"
said first donor, Emily Raney. "I am so glad Myrtue is a drop off
site. They make it easy and simple to make a donation and it gives me
a sense of pride to know that I am making a difference."
Pictured above at the official Mother's Milk Bank opening are (L to R):
Lyndsey Havens, RN, Lisa Beck, RN, Megan Gettys, RN, Lanette Peterson,
RN, Michele Monson, RNC, and Cara Cacy, RN, IBCLC.
