Milk Bank Service At Franciscan Health Indianapolis Helps Keeps Babies Healthy

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana - Franciscan Health Indianapolis has partnered with The Milk Bank's Donor Milk Express (DMX) to provide improved and faster health outcomes for premature and ill infants.

The Lactation Clinic at the Indianapolis hospital has extended its collaboration with The Milk Bank. The long-standing Milk Depot has allowed donating mothers to drop off frozen surplus milk that is then picked up by The Milk Bank for processing. The DMX offers an opportunity for families to purchase up to 40 ounces of pasteurized donor human milk without a prescription.

"This opportunity to be a Milk Depot and milk distribution site is an excellent extension of our ability to reach out to the wider community," said Libby Milch, RN, an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant. "We are proud to collaborate with DMX on this project."

The Milk Bank - the only program of its kind in Indiana - receives milk from carefully screened, healthy donors and distributes it to babies in neonatal intensive care units or in families with infants who cannot tolerate formula. Donor milk offers optimal nutrition, improved digestibility and added immunologic protection against infections.

"Franciscan Health Indianapolis has made an extraordinary commitment to maternal and child health by opening both a milk depot site," said DMX Executive Director Freedom Kolb. "Their leadership and partnership help to promote breastmilk donations to ensure that vulnerable babies across Indiana have access to lifesaving medical interventions. Additionally, they are breaking down barriers to accessing donor milk whenever an infant is in need or a mothers' supply is low or not available."

Located within the hospital's Center for Women and Children, professional lactation experts are trained to teach mothers how to feed their babies. New mothers often face challenges with breastfeeding. The program offers a variety of inpatient and community-based programs.

To learn more about the new DMX program and related services, call 317-528-5620.