Hancock Health is Now a Milk Bank Milk Express Site

If you are a parent, you know that wanting what’s best for your baby comes naturally. Breastfeeding has long been known as the best option for feeding babies, giving them not only the nutrition they need but a host of other benefits as well. Here at Hancock Health, we collaborate with The Milk Bank, a regional organization dedicated to ensuring all babies have access to the healthiest food from the start by providing pasteurized, donor human milk. 

Through our collaboration with The Milk Bank, we have collected 33,449 ounces of milk (a.k.a. liquid gold) and hosted 2 milk drives. And we are just getting started! Now, we can help more families get access to the life-saving benefits of pasteurized, donor human milk (PDHM) as a Milk Bank Express Site. This means that you can conveniently schedule your milk order pick-up right here in Hancock County. We are hoping that this quick access to donor milk gives parents and families the peace of mind they need so they can get back to the important work of raising the next generation of Hoosiers.  

Why are we passionate about helping every baby, especially those in need, get access to human milk? Because the benefits of getting the right nutrition extend far beyond infancy. With a delicate balance of hormones for growth, fats for brain development and other necessary nutrients for immune system protection, it goes way beyond anything we could ever hope to replicate in a formula. It is also perfectly created to support a baby’s growing digestive system and vital organs.  

Human milk is especially vital for the sick babies we treat in our Level II Nursery through our partnership with Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital. In fact, human milk is more than just nourishment…it is life-saving medicine. Babies who are born prematurely or with health complications have an easier time with digestion and experience more rapid growth when they are given pasteurized, donor human milk. The Milk Bank has created a safe way for human milk to be shared with even the most at-risk babies at Hancock Health and throughout Indiana.  

The Milk Bank can’t continue without the treasured donations from mothers who either pump exclusively to donate or who have extra milk that they don’t want to go to waste. It is a beautiful way to give back to another family and a gift to sick babies. Hancock Health is a Milk Bank Depot, creating an accessible spot for those in our community to donate their breast milk to help others. Milk is regularly collected by The Milk Bank and then processed for safety. 

Safety protocols are an important measure in making sure human milk is available and safe for the tiniest, sickest babies to consume. The Milk Bank follows strict screening, processing and dispensing guidelines established by The Human Milk Banking Association of North America. This includes knowing lifestyle and medical histories of donors and blood testing to ensure safety. Donated milk is pasteurized to kill any bacteria or viruses. You can find out more about how to become a donor by visiting their website. Once screened, you can even donate milk that has already been pumped and frozen!  

Not only are we making it easier for families to access the life-giving nourishment human milk provides, but we are also a designated baby-friendly hospital and maintain our Leapfrog Hospital Safety A Grade. Our commitment to ensuring the best practices for breastfeeding success means we have the capability to support mothers who decide to breastfeed their babies, including understanding the importance of lactation help, skin-to-skin contact, rooming-in, providing ongoing support and more.   

Just like having a birth plan is a great idea, having a feeding plan is also vital in advocating for yourself and your baby in those first few days postpartum and beyond. No matter how your breastfeeding journey begins, the Milk Bank is a great resource for those needing to supplement with or donate extra milk. Contact The Milk Bank for more information and to schedule you order pick-up at the new Hancock Health Milk Express Site!