Information for Milk Donors

Thank you for choosing to donate your surplus milk to the Mother’s Milk Bank of Iowa. Because of you we are able to serve hospitalized infants in the Midwest and beyond. The main recipients of donated milk are babies who are the most fragile, vulnerable, and at risk. When donations permit, we also dispense to infants at home

We always need milk, so please refer friends, family, and colleagues.

To donate, please email Heidi Baudhuin, or call her at 1-319-384-9930.

Our toll-free number for potential donors is 1-877-891-5347.

Screening Requirements

Though we appreciate all who are interested in donating, there are certain qualifications one has to pass in order to donate.

• Read pre-screening information
• Answer a verbal questionnaire, call 1-319-384-9930
• Fill out a written questionnaire
• Allow your health care provider to be contacted
• Agree to a blood test

Breast Milk Donors Are

• Non-smoking
• Not donating milk within 12 hours of alcohol consumption
• Not taking herbal supplements (goats rue, germander, sassafras, etc.)
• Willing to donate a minimum of 200 oz. over entire lactation time
• Not taking medication other than those listed below

Permitted Medications While Donating Milk

You can continue to donate while taking the following medications:

• Vitamins, minerals, fish oil, omega-3-fatty acids, probiotics
• Non-sedating antihistamines (i.e., Allegra, Clarinex, Claritin, Zyrtec, etc.)
• Birth control
• Colace, Mylicon
• Ibuprofen, Tylenol
• Insulin
• Inhaled drugs for asthma, colds, allergies
• Prilosec, Pepcid, Tums
• Synthroid
• Fluvoxamine, Nortriptyline, Paroxetine, Sertraline
• Allergy shots
• Selected human immune globulin products (Rhogam, Rabies)

If you take medications temporarily (i.e., antibiotics, antivirals, etc.) and need information about the wait time to start donating again or if you have questions about whether a certain medication is listed, please email Heidi Baudhuin or call 1-319-384-9930.

Stored Milk Information

Milk that has been in the freezer for five to six months (even that collected beyond the first year of lactation) can usually be donated once the screening is finished if:

• It is dated
• It is collected under sanitary conditions (hands, pump pieces washed/cleansed prior to each pumping)
  Learn how to keep your breast pump kit clean (from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
• It was frozen within 72 hours (less than 24 hours preferred) of pumping
• Warm milk was not combined with already chilled milk
• It does not contain restricted medication or alcohol