banked milk anyone?

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Specializes in NICU, adult med-tele.

Forgive me if this question has been asked lately. Did a search and didn't come up with much. I was just wondering how many of ya'll even have access to banked breastmilk to give the kiddos, and what is the criteria for getting it if you do use it? Does the mom have to be actually breastfeeding or pumping? Does insurance pay for it? Just wondering.

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

We have a milk bank at our hospital.

Any kiddo in the hospital that needs it gets it for free. Mom doesn't have to be pumping/BFing in order to get it (case in point HIV+ moms, or even moms that have died). We separate our milk into preterm and fullterm, as the nutritional needs are obviously different. Once kiddo is discharged (or for kids that were not born at our hospital but need it nonetheless) it has to be paid for. Insurance companies are starting to cover it but not all do yet, IIRC. It is expensive!!!

Our most recent stats are something like 20k ounces per month that we are shipping.

MD or NP has to write the order for it if babe is in the hospital.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, educator.

We are doing a study with donor breastmilk. We currently have 10 kids on the study. Because it is a study, the insurance companies aren't billed, but it is $$$$$$.

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Specializes in NICU.

We just finished a study on it. I REALLY hope that as a result we start a milk bank!

Honestly, when I have kids, I don't want any formula for my baby. I will find a wet nurse if I can't provide!

We need more banks out there!

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

Anecdotally, our methadone kids that drink dbm have lower scores.

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Specializes in NICU, adult med-tele.

Really? No one else?

I just wondered cause I am also a member of a really busy board that focuses alot on breastfeeding. There is a section for NI moms, and alot of them are able to give their kids banked breastmilk, somehow.

What about if a mom is not interested in pumping at all? Do you still use DBM or is that pointless because the kid will be on formula at home?

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Specializes in NICU Level III.

We don't even have the option (that I'm aware of) of DBM where I currently work.

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Specializes in NICU.

We don't use it at all. I had one primary who lived for about three months but was fed very little and her mom had a huge, huge supply, and there was talk of her donating all the frozen leftover milk to a bank, but I don't think it actually happened.

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Specializes in NICU.
We don't use it at all. I had one primary who lived for about three months but was fed very little and her mom had a huge, huge supply, and there was talk of her donating all the frozen leftover milk to a bank, but I don't think it actually happened.

Awwww...that's too bad:( Don't people realize BM is LIQUID GOLD???

Makes me mad when it goes to waste:angryfire

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Specializes in Neonatal nursing (paediatric trained).

While our hospital has to order it (we don't have our own bank at my hospital), we don't charge for it, being the NHS. The parents have to consent to us using DEBM. We do encourage the mother to express, even if she can't get much and even if she doesn't plan on BF'ing at home. I think the needs of the baby are paramount, and if the baby's gut really needed EBM and mum wouldn't express but would consent to DEBM, we'd still give it. However, if the baby's gut can tolerate formula and mum isn't expressing, then the baby will have formula.

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We don't have our own bank, we order it from elsewhere. Mom's who have had babies pass have donated their milk to this bank. Insurance pays, and I hear it is very expensive. Some MDs argue that the "good stuff" is taken out of it as it is processed. But for our gut babies, especially little preemie NEC/perfs we use it. Our nutritionists have said that the benefits from it only last about a month - not really sure why.

I have taken care of many babies on donor milk. Sometimes for the little ones, mom's milk just won't come in fast enough (or never does) or they may be a medical reason mom can't pump. It makes them feel better. Also, for parents who have read that breast milk is best for their baby's gut problem, they feel like they are taking every precaution. (These are just responses I have gotten.)

One thing different about it - Milk from mom that is thawed is good for 24 hrs in the fridge. Donor milk is good for 48 hours thawed (since it is processed). But if it is mixed, it is only good for 24 hours, same as fresh/frozen mom's milk.

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Specializes in NICU, Med/Surg.

We use bank milk for all premature children and for lots of surgical kids. We even give it rectally to stimulate the intestine for thoose with "short gut"!

They usually stay on donor milk until mum can keep up with the supply/demand. About 90% of our kids from the neonatal unit are breastfed at discharge and never recieve anything else than breastmilk!

Parents have to give their consent but I haven´t met anyone that said no after hearing the benefits...

Anna

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