Meet Barbara Robertson, IBCLC, MA, the Director/Owner of The Breastfeeding Center of Ann Arbor.
Human Milk Depot of Ann Arbor
Located in The Breastfeeding Center of Ann Arbor
Are you a breastfeeding mother with more milk than your baby needs?
If so, please contact:
The Human Milk Depot of Ann Arbor
for Bronson Hospital’s Mother’s Milk Bank
Human milk provides optimal nutrition, promotes normal growth and development, and reduces the risk of illness and disease. In situations where mothers’ own milk is not available, provision of pasteurized, screened donor milk is the next best option, particularly for ill, or high-risk infants. The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding as the optimal infant feeding choice, mother’s own milk pumped as second choice, pasteurized banked human milk as the third choice, and lastly, if no other choices are available, artificial baby milk. The Human Milk Depot of Ann Arbor and the Bronson Mother’s Milk Bank operate under the guidelines of the Human Milk Banking Association of North America.
What is a milk bank?
A donor human milk bank welcomes a mother’s extra milk. A human milk bank carefully screens healthy breastfeeding women and accepts their donations of surplus milk. The milk is then pasteurized and tested to make sure that no bacteria exist, and frozen until it is prescribed by a physician for a baby in need.
Who donates their milk?
Milk donors are the foundation of our milk depot. Donors are healthy women who set aside time to express extra milk for the good of other babies. Donors must have a healthy lifestyle and be willing to have blood tests to rule out infectious diseases.
How can I become a milk donor?
Donating to the Human Milk Depot of Ann Arbor is easy! The first step is a preliminary screening which can be done with Barbara or Amy. Next is a more in-depth phone screening with Bronson Hospital and a simple blood test. Finally, pick up your supplies, pump, and drop off your milk! Drop off hours are Monday, Friday, or Saturday between 10am and 2pm. If this is not convenient, you can make an appointment with Barbara or Amy.