Pasteurized Donor Human Milk Ordering, Storage, and Use in the Home

Ordering milk:

1. Families must contact MMBA each week to request milk for their child. Contact us via email:
   needmilk@milkbank.org or call us at (512) 494-0800 or toll free (877) 813-6155. As a courtesy, MMBA asks
   for at least 24-48 hours’ notice to allow time to prepare your order.
2. MMBA ships milk daily Monday through Thursday with shipments arriving the next day. Requests for
   next-day delivery must be made by 3pm CST. Recipients located in the Austin area may schedule an
   appointment to pick up milk Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm. Local urgent orders MAY be filled on
   weekends depending on staff availability. Call to explore this possibility.

Handling Milk:

1. Upon receipt of milk please check all bottles to verify that all are frozen solid. If not solid, partially liquid
   bottles may be used if the bottle still contains ice crystals. A cold-chain verification strip will be included
   with your shipment and informs you if the shipment spent any time above freezing. Call us if there is any
   pink in the bubbles on the strip or are there any questions or concerns.
2. Place the milk in the freezer. Do not store milk on the door shelf.

Safe Thawing of Milk for Feedings:

1. Note the expiration date on each bottle and use the milk with the earliest expiration date first.
2. Slow thaw method: Place bottles in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight. This method is
   recommended because the milk remains cold while thawing, preserving its helpful components. Place
   the amount of milk needed for one day in the refrigerator. Once thawed, note the date and time. Milk
   should be used within 48 hours once completely liquid.
3. Quick thaw method: Hold the bottle under lukewarm tap water or place the bottle in a clean container of
   warm water. As water cools, replace it with more warm water. Gently swirl the milk around in the bottle
   until fully thawed. Once thawed, note the date and time. Milk should be used within 48 hours once
   completely liquid.

NEVER DEFROST OR HEAT MILK IN THE MICROWAVE OR ON THE STOVE
NEVER REFREEZE BREASTMILK AFTER IT IS THAWED

Feeding Pasteurized Donor Human Milk (PDHM):

1. When ready to feed, gently swirl the milk to mix the fat, which may have separated. Pour the estimated
   amount needed into a clean infant feeding container. Many babies will accept cold milk; however, human
   milk is produced at body temperature which many infants will prefer. Warm milk according to your
   baby’s preference using the instructions for thawing milk.
2. Cover the original bottle of thawed milk and place it into the refrigerator. If the bottle of thawed milk was
   not immediately refrigerated, discard after two hours at room temperature. If the bottle of thawed milk
   was at room temperature for less than two hours, the bottle may be put back in the refrigerator and used
   for the next feeding. Never add this bottle to a “new” bottle of thawed milk.
3. If your baby did not finish the milk in the infant feeding container, offer it again within 2 hours. After 2
   hours have passed, the leftover milk should be discarded.

Safety Procedures:

1. In the case of an emergency, where power is lost or a shipment is delayed, use the following methods to
   verify the condition of each bottle of milk:
   a. If the milk is partially liquid, but you can hear ice crystals present, the milk can be refrozen
   and used for feedings up to the expiration date printed on the bottle.
   b. If the milk is completely liquid (no ice crystals are present) and the milk is cool to the touch,
   the milk can be used within 48 hours. The 48 hours begin as soon as this is noted.
   c. If the milk is completely thawed and warm, it must be discarded.
   d. For shipments, a cold chain verification strip can be found at the bottom of the cooler. If
   there is any pink in the bubbles, contact MMBA to determine how to proceed.
   e. During power failures, only open the freezer when necessary. Dry ice can be used to keep
   milk frozen for the duration of the outage/storm.

Please call us if you have any questions: 512-494-0800 or toll free at 877-813-6155. We are in the office
between 9am and 5pm Monday through Friday. Feel free to leave a message on Voicemail and we will
return your call ASAP.

Guidance provided in this document is based on recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC).