The OhioHealth Mothers’ Milk Bank is excited to announce the opening of a new milk drop at the Greater Cleveland Pediatrics office. Located in Beachwood at 3311 Richmond Rd., a freezer at the office will store the donated human milk, which will then be transferred to the milk bank at no cost to the donor.
The OhioHealth Mothers’ Milk Bank, under the guidelines of the Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA), provides pasteurized human milk to those infants whose mothers are unable to provide milk to nourish their babies. It is one of just 29 milk banks in North America – 26 in the United States and three in Canada.
“We are thrilled to be opening this new milk drop to make donating even easier,” said Chris Smith, RN, outreach coordinator and lactation consultant at the milk bank. “With this new milk drop, approved donors in and around Greater Cleveland can conveniently donate their milk. Pasteurized donor milk is liquid gold for babies who need it. In 2020 alone we distributed nearly 337,169 ounces of milk all over the country – that’s over 2,600 gallons! Just one ounce can feed a premature infant for three days, so every little bit helps.”
The pasteurized milk is distributed throughout North America. This is the twelfth OhioHealth milk drop location to open in Ohio.
“We are so excited to offer this service to patients and the entire Northeast Ohio community,” said Dr. Allie Effron, pediatrician and co-founder of Greater Cleveland Pediatrics. “Having cared for premature infants over the years, we have seen the life-saving effects of donor milk first hand.”
“We are especially grateful to a local physician mother who donated the storage freezer especially for this purpose. It’s wonderful to see so much support in the community,” added Dr. Keili Mistovich, Greater Cleveland Pediatrics’ other pediatrician and co-founder.
The milk bank, which is located in the OhioHealth Eastside Health Center in Columbus, relies on donations from healthy, lactating women who generously provide milk to help other babies.
To become a human milk donor, mothers must take part in a screening process to ensure the quality and safety of the milk. This process includes a phone screening to verify eligibility, completion of a medical and lifestyle history review, a signed medical release from the donor and physician and consent to receive a blood test to screen for HIV, HTLV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and syphilis. The donated milk is pasteurized, frozen and distributed by physician prescription. Interested donors are asked to email milkbank@ohiohealth.com or call (614) 566.0630 to arrange a screening phone interview.
Mothers who are also interested in donating can also contact Greater Cleveland Pediatrics at admin@clepeds.com or text (216) 238.0651 for additional information.
Benefits of Breast Milk
Infants benefit greatly from human milk, especially those who are premature, ill, or have life-threatening conditions. Human milk is the ultimate source of nutrients and immune protection for infants. Babies benefit from the active growth hormones, developmental enzymes, infection fighting and immunological factors found in human milk.
Research shows that human milk helps pre-term infants:
- Reach full feeds sooner and need fewer IVs
- Mature their intestines faster
- Spend fewer days in the hospital
- Reduce risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (a potentially fatal bowel infection)
- Reduce risk of sepsis (blood infection) and fewer infections
- Experience long-term IQ advantages over formula-fed infants
- Be healthier as older children and adults
More information about the OhioHealth Mothers’ Milk Bank, including a video, may be found at https://www.ohiohealth.com/locations/womens-health/mothers-milk-bank/
