breast milk

Donated human milk is particularly important for babies in the neonatal intensive care unit whose mothers may be unable to breastfeed them.

The hospital will serve as a collection site for donors certified by The Milk Bank. After the milk is pasteurized, it will be distributed to hospitals and outpatient clinics .

The Milk Bank's old facility was almost too small for all of the equipment needed to fulfill donor requests.

The Indiana Department of Health and The Milk Bank have partnered to host donated breast milk drives across the state as the nationwide infant formula shortage continues.

The infant formula shortage has led some parents to consider informal milk sharing – looking for breast milk donations for their babies from neighbors or people online. But health experts warn the practice comes with risks.

The nationwide shortage of baby formula is also impacting Hoosier families. More than 40 percent of retailers across the country reported being out of formula stock during the first week of May.

Lactation and bereavement services are a part of the bank's mission to provide human breast milk to babies in need.