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Baby Lawlis-Reign: Covid-19 stress and milk delays

“I reached out to the hospital he was born at with very little help, as well as the local milk banks here. I was very overwhelmed with a newborn who was underweight, the start of Covid-19, and the stress of not making something that should come naturally.”

See how we helped Lawlis-Reign

The impact of human milk on premature babies

Any way you look at it, breast milk wins over other infant feeding options. Immunologically and nutritionally, there's no substitute. But too often, the babies who need breast milk most can't get it from their own mothers: 60% of NICU moms aren't able to produce enough milk. That's where donors come in to share their extra breast milk with the desperate parents of medically-fragile babies. Our pasteurized donor human milk is used in NICUs and Well Baby Units to meet the growth and immunity needs of babies, heal and mature intestinal tracts, protect against NEC, URI, sepsis, obesity, diabetes, food allergies, and so much more. Breast milk's proven track record:

36%

reduction in SIDS

5 to 8

point IQ increase in premature babies

72%

reduction in respiratory tract and ear infections

77%

reduction in necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) compared to formula-fed babies

The impact of MMBA

21 years of saving babies and counting! We're growing fast thanks to generous women who commit to donating milk, and increasing awareness in the medical community about the lifesaving properties of human milk especially for the most vulnerable population. We won't stop until donor human milk is available to all babies who need it.

90%

reduction in NEC rate in Austin in our first year of operation

7.5

million ounces donated since 1999

800,000

ounces sent to babies in 2020

175

US hospitals ordered milk in 2020

7

new US-based milk banks and 1 Canadian milk bank mentored by our Director

Testimonial

“I became enamored of the prospect of not having to treat NEC, one of the worst complications of the growing premature infant. A milk bank seemed an essential thing to do for our babies.”

- Dr. George Sharpe, Neonatologist and Mothers' Milk Bank Austin co-founder

Milk recipient and her mom

Stories From Moms

Ivette’s Story: Paying It Forward

We’re honored donor Mom Ivette shared her poignant story with us. “It is with mixed emotions that I recently dropped off my final milk donation (about 490 ounces) as...

Stories From Moms

Christine’s Story: Joy & Purpose Through Donating

After a difficult delivery experience, donor mom Christine witnessed the dedication of her loved ones and decided to pay it forward. “I’m a firm believer that God works all...

Stories From Moms

Hailey’s Story: From Donor to Recipient and Back Again

Hailey is both a donor and former recipient mom, so her experience with donor human milk is quite well-rounded. “I’ve been blessed with three beautiful girls, and fortunately, I...

Stories From Moms

MMBA’s Own Melissa Kuhn Talks Pumping, Helping Families, and Processing Liquid Gold

We are proud to present an interview with Melissa Kuhn, MMBA’s milk processing program manager. Both a mom and a Milk Bank employee, Melissa knows a thing or two...

Stories From Moms

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