OhioHealth Mothers’ Milk Bank opens milk drop site at Akron Children’s

The OhioHealth Mothers’ Milk Bank has opened the first milk drop site in Summit County. A new milk drop location in the Akron Children’s Hospital Kay Jeweler’s Pavilion at 1 Perkins Square, Akron, will house a freezer to store donated human milk, which will be transferred to the milk bank in Whitehall at no cost to the donor.

The milk bank, located in the OhioHealth Eastside Health Center in Columbus, relies on donations from healthy, lactating women who generously provide milk to help other babies.

The OhioHealth Mothers’ Milk Bank, under the guidelines of the Human Milk Banking Association of North America, provides pasteurized human milk to infants whose mothers are unable to provide milk to nourish their babies. It is one of just 33 milk banks in North America – 30 in the United States and three in Canada.

“With this new milk drop, approved donors around Akron have a convenient location to drop off their donated milk,” said Chris Smith, RN, IBCLC, outreach coordinator and lactation consultant at the milk bank. “Pasteurized donor milk is liquid gold for babies who need it. In 2023 alone we distributed over 460,000 ounces of milk in 11 states – that’s 3,593 gallons. Just one ounce can feed a premature infant for three days, so every little bit helps.”

To become a human milk donor, mothers must take part in a screening process to ensure the quality and safety of the milk. This process includes a phone screening to verify eligibility, completion of a medical and lifestyle history review, a signed medical release from the donor and physician, and consent to receive a blood test to screen for HIV, HTLV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and syphilis. The donated milk is pasteurized, frozen and distributed by physician’s prescription.

Interested donors can email milkbank@ohiohealth.com or call 614-566-0630 to arrange a screening phone interview.

“By making it more convenient for mothers to donate breast milk, we’re supporting the health of the most vulnerable infants in our community and beyond,” said Dr. Carly Dulabon, IBCLC, NABBLM-C, director of breastfeeding medicine at Akron Children’s. “Together, we can make a significant impact on the lives of premature and ill infants who rely on donated breast milk for their growth and development.” 

Benefits of breast milk

Infants benefit greatly from human milk, especially those who are premature, ill, or have life-threatening conditions. Human milk is the ultimate source of nutrients and immune protection for infants. Babies benefit from the active growth hormones, developmental enzymes, infection fighting and immunological factors found in human milk.

Research shows that human milk helps pre-term infants:

• Reach full feeds sooner and need fewer IVs
• Mature their intestines faster
• Spend fewer days in the hospital
• Reduce risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (a potentially fatal bowel infection)
• Reduce risk of sepsis (blood infection) and fewer infections
• Experience long-term IQ advantages over formula-fed infants
• Be healthier as older children and adults

More information can be found at ohiohealth.com/locations/womens-health/mothers-milk-bank.