Milk Banking
Northwest Mothers Milk Bank is proud to be the only nonprofit human milk bank in the Pacific Northwest. The unprecedented community support we receive allows us to grow and expand our services every year!
High breastfeeding rates and a positive breastfeeding culture are essential foundations for a thriving community milk bank. Breastfeeding rates in the Pacific Northwest are among the highest in the nation. Area health care professionals and families know that human milk is proven to provide the essential nutrients and immunological protection necessary for optimal growth and improved long-term health. Promotion and support of breastfeeding is a matter of public health and is a cornerstone of the work we do. Becoming a milk donor gives parents with excess breastmilk the opportunity to make a significant difference by helping another infant receive the best start in life.
Our primary focus is on providing milk to vulnerable populations. One in eight infants in the Pacific Northwest is born premature. Prematurity puts an infant at risk for life-threatening infections, prolonged hospital admission, and lifelong disabilities. NWMMB prioritizes these fragile infants, providing a safe source of human milk when their mother’s own milk may not be 100% available. Evidence-based research shows the use of human donor milk from an accredited milk bank should be the standard of care for supplementation of hospitalized premature and ill newborns. This is particularly the case for those in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).
​
Thanks to the overwhelming kindness of our milk donors, we have expanded our reach to Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and beyond, providing the best nutrition to infants both in the hospital and after discharging home.
​
Northwest Mothers Milk Bank is proud to be an accredited member of the Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA). HMBANA’s mission is to advance the field of nonprofit milk banking through member accreditation, development of evidence-based best practices, and advocacy of breastfeeding and human lactation to ensure an ethically sourced and equitably distributed supply of donor human milk. NWMMB follows their strict standards to ensure the safety of donated milk through careful screening, laboratory testing, and pasteurization techniques. Click here to learn more about our dedication to safety and quality.
Useful Links
​