Donor Breast Milk
Your Questions Answered
What is donor breast milk?
Donor breast milk is human breast milk that has been donated. Donor milk used at NYU Langone Medical Center is cleaned (pasteurized) and screened (tested for infections) so that you know it’s safe for your baby.
When is donor breast milk used?
Donor breast milk is used when mother’s milk is not available or in low supply. There are many reasons a mother cannot produce milk, including certain medications and illnesses, even stress. If your baby is premature, sick or may lose weight after birth, your baby’s doctor might recommend donor breast milk.
What are the benefits?
Breast milk contains nutrients that are important for your baby’s health. Breast milk supports your baby’s growth, helps fight infection and is easy for baby to digest.
Is donor breast milk safe?
Yes. NYU Langone Medical Center uses donated milk from a certified human milk bank. The milk bank makes sure the milk is safe in the following ways:
Donor milk is a human product. Donors must be healthy non-smokers with no history of drug or alcohol abuse. Their blood tests must be free of certain diseases. Donors must follow detailed instructions for the safe care of their milk. Donors, who are not paid, share their milk to help babies and families.
- Donated breast milk is pasteurized and tested.
Pasteurizing is a heating process that gets rid of bacteria or viruses that may be in the milk. This heating keeps in most of the milk’s nutrients and immune factors (cells that can protect babies from disease). After pasteurization, the milk bank tests the donated milk to make sure that it’s safe to feed to your baby.
How long will your baby receive donor breast milk?
Some babies are given donor breast milk for only a week or so, while others need it for a longer time. Talk to your baby’s health care team about how long your baby would benefit from donor breast milk.
What if you want to breastfeed?
If you want to breastfeed your baby in the future, let your baby’s healthcare team know. You can also speak with our lactation consultant, a health professional who can help you build your milk supply, breastfeed or pump your own milk.
What does the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend?
The AAP recommends feeding your baby only breast milk for the first 6 months, and breast milk along with other foods for 1 year or longer.
Where can you learn more about the milk your baby receives — or about milk banking in general?
- NYU Langone Medical Center uses the Mothers’ Milk Bank of the North East, 377 Elliot St, Newton Upper Falls, MA, 02464. Their website is http://milkbankne.org.
- If you have any questions about the milk your baby receives, please contact the Milk Bank directly at (617) 527-6263.
- To learn more about milk banking, visit the Human Milk Banking Association of North America website at www.hmbana.org.
In the future, if you have extra breast milk, please consider donating some of it. You can learn about donating milk through the number and websites above.
We look forward to partnering with you in your baby’s care.
If you have questions about feeding your baby or any other aspect of your baby’s care, please speak with your baby’s nurse.
Created in partnership with families and expertise from our Sala Institute for Child and Family Centered Care
© NYU Langone Health. All rights reserved. Reviewed for health literacy. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your health care provider's instructions.
Donor Breast Milk
Your Questions Answered
What is donor breast milk?
Donor breast milk is human breast milk that has been donated. Donor milk used at NYU Langone Medical Center is cleaned (pasteurized) and screened (tested for infections) so that you know it’s safe for your baby.
When is donor breast milk used?
Donor breast milk is used when mother’s milk is not available or in low supply. There are many reasons a mother cannot produce milk, including certain medications and illnesses, even stress. If your baby is premature, sick or may lose weight after birth, your baby’s doctor might recommend donor breast milk.
What are the benefits?
Breast milk contains nutrients that are important for your baby’s health. Breast milk supports your baby’s growth, helps fight infection and is easy for baby to digest.
Is donor breast milk safe?
Yes. NYU Langone Medical Center uses donated milk from a certified human milk bank. The milk bank makes sure the milk is safe in the following ways:
Donor milk is a human product. Donors must be healthy non-smokers with no history of drug or alcohol abuse. Their blood tests must be free of certain diseases. Donors must follow detailed instructions for the safe care of their milk. Donors, who are not paid, share their milk to help babies and families.
- Donated breast milk is pasteurized and tested.
Pasteurizing is a heating process that gets rid of bacteria or viruses that may be in the milk. This heating keeps in most of the milk’s nutrients and immune factors (cells that can protect babies from disease). After pasteurization, the milk bank tests the donated milk to make sure that it’s safe to feed to your baby.
How long will your baby receive donor breast milk?
Some babies are given donor breast milk for only a week or so, while others need it for a longer time. Talk to your baby’s health care team about how long your baby would benefit from donor breast milk.
What if you want to breastfeed?
If you want to breastfeed your baby in the future, let your baby’s healthcare team know. You can also speak with our lactation consultant, a health professional who can help you build your milk supply, breastfeed or pump your own milk.
What does the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend?
The AAP recommends feeding your baby only breast milk for the first 6 months, and breast milk along with other foods for 1 year or longer.
Where can you learn more about the milk your baby receives — or about milk banking in general?
- NYU Langone Medical Center uses the Mothers’ Milk Bank of the North East, 377 Elliot St, Newton Upper Falls, MA, 02464. Their website is http://milkbankne.org.
- If you have any questions about the milk your baby receives, please contact the Milk Bank directly at (617) 527-6263.
- To learn more about milk banking, visit the Human Milk Banking Association of North America website at www.hmbana.org.
In the future, if you have extra breast milk, please consider donating some of it. You can learn about donating milk through the number and websites above.
We look forward to partnering with you in your baby’s care.
If you have questions about feeding your baby or any other aspect of your baby’s care, please speak with your baby’s nurse.
Created in partnership with families and expertise from our Sala Institute for Child and Family Centered Care
© NYU Langone Health. All rights reserved. Reviewed for health literacy. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your health care provider's instructions.