APPLETON, Wis. — Donor breast milk provides life-saving nutrition to vulnerable infants, particularly premature babies.

Research suggests that breast milk may prevent serious illnesses like NEC (necrotizing enterocolitis), which can be fatal, in babies born early.

Appleton is now on a list of cities where approved donors can drop off breast milk for at-risk babies. For moms who can’t produce breast milk and have low-weight babies, breast milk donations can be crucial. 

What You Need To Know

  • Mothers’ Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes (Milk Bank WGL) serves over 90 hospitals and thousands of families throughout Wisconsin and Illinois

  • Appleton is now on a list of cities where approved donors can drop off breast milk for at-risk babies

  • Mothers’ Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes saves tiny lives by collecting, pasteurizing and dispensing donor human milk

  • In 2022, The Milk Bank reported 483,202 ounces of donated milk from over 1,000 donors, which fed nearly 1.5 million critically ill and premature infants that year

Amanda Hatch is an Appleton public health nurse. She said breast milk provides important health benefits.

“It contains antibodies that are just not found in formula, which helps prevent infections in pediatric patients,” Hatch said.

Hatch said moms in the Fox Valley no longer have to drive long distances to find a Milk Depot, a place where donors can drop off breast milk.

This means parents and local hospitals have another access point for this life-saving liquid nutrition.

“Babies that are inpatients in NICUs and on postpartum units may receive the milk, but also maybe a mom who has a low supply and wants to provide human milk for her baby instead of formula,” Hatch said.

Thanks to a partnership between the City of Appleton and the Mother’s Milk Bank of Western Great Lakes, healthy, lactating, prescreened women can donate.

Susan Urbanksi said her organization is noticing a growing demand.

“There’s an increasing need for donor milk nationwide, even worldwide, because human milk is the standard of care for particularly fragile infants,” Urbanski said.

She also said Milk Depots can be found across the state.

“So, everything from Milwaukee and Madison up to Green Bay, Eau Claire, and even the Northwoods but we also have a courier service, so any healthy lactating parent in the state of Wisconsin who’s interested in donating milk is able to do so,” Urbanski said.

Given how critical the nutrition can be from the milk, Hatch said getting another Milk Depot in Wisconsin is a win for children.

“I used to be a NICU nurse, and so babies are my passion. So, I’m just excited that we have this opportunity in our community to help save babies’ lives,” Hatch said.

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