At Mothers’ Milk Bank Northeast, we are driven by the belief that every baby deserves the healthiest start in life. As one of the largest accredited nonprofit milk banks in the country, we provide equitable access to safe, pasteurized donor human milk. Proudly standing on the front lines of public health, we’re committed to ensuring that the most vulnerable infants receive the nutrition they need to survive and thrive. By strengthening families and communities through this vital resource, we are not just feeding babies – we are building a healthier future for all . . .
Protecting precious lives . . .
Here at Milky Headquarters, we’re on a mission to save lives. That’s why our milk is prioritized for the most medically fragile infants. For premature babies, very low birth weight infants, and those born with specific illnesses, donor milk isn’t just nutrition—it’s protection.
One of the most severe threats that premature infants face is necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a devastating intestinal disease and the leading cause of death among preterm babies between two weeks and two months of age. Survivors of NEC often endure lifelong health complications, including liver failure, poor growth, and neurodevelopmental challenges.
Research shows that an exclusive human milk diet can reduce the risk of NEC by 50–75%, making access to donor milk a critical public health intervention. With roughly 90% of NICUs nationwide using donor milk when a mother’s own milk is unavailable, our milk bank plays a vital role in ensuring that medically fragile infants receive the essential nutrients and immune protection they need to survive and thrive.
By providing this lifesaving resource, we are not only preventing illness and death, we’re giving babies a stronger, healthier future and reinforcing the foundation of public health for generations to come.
Benefiting mom, benefiting baby . . .
Not all families who receive donor milk are in the NICU. In fact, donor milk is increasingly used as a “bridge to breastfeeding.” Breastfeeding is a powerful ways to support lifelong health, but while it is natural, it doesn’t always come naturally. For many families, breastfeeding can be challenging—especially in the critical early weeks when milk supply is still developing.
At Mothers’ Milk Bank Northeast, we provide donor milk as a bridge to breastfeeding, offering a safe and effective supplement when a mother’s own milk is not yet sufficient. Unlike formula, donor milk supports better breastfeeding outcomes, leading to significant health benefits for both mothers and babies. Research shows that breastfeeding reduces the risk of SIDS, asthma, diabetes, and obesity in children while also improving neurodevelopmental outcomes. For mothers, it lowers the risk of certain cancers, heart disease, and diabetes.
The impact of donor milk extends beyond individual families—it’s a public health investment. Every $1 spent on donor milk saves up to $37 in future healthcare costs by preventing complications and reducing long-term medical needs. By ensuring that families who want to breastfeed have access to the support they need, we are improving health outcomes, reducing healthcare burdens, and strengthening communities. Our mission goes beyond providing milk—we are giving parents the confidence to continue breastfeeding, giving babies the best start in life, and reinforcing the foundation of public health for generations to come.
More than milk . . .
Health equity? It’s more than a goal, it’s a commitment. Here at the milk bank, we’re working hard to ensure that every baby has access to the lifesaving nutrition they need—regardless of their family’s financial situation. Families in low-income communities often face significant barriers to proper infant nutrition, especially in times of crisis. By providing donor milk at no cost to underserved families, we remove a critical obstacle to infant health, ensuring that more babies get the best possible start in life.
Our work goes beyond providing milk – it’s about supporting families when they need it most. Infant feeding challenges can be overwhelming, taking an emotional and mental toll on families. For mothers struggling to produce enough milk, having a compassionate community stand behind them brings relief, and peace of mind. With access to donor milk, families experience less stress, babies grow healthier, and everyone benefits from stronger long-term well-being.
The impact extends to our milk donors as well. Many find deep meaning in giving their milk to help fragile infants. And for those who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss, donating can provide a profound sense of healing.
We leave you with these powerful words from our milk donor, Letitia: “I feel truly blessed to have been able to help nurture and protect so many fragile little lives. I’m incredibly thankful for Mothers’ Milk Bank Northeast and the service they provide—not only to babies but to mothers who are faced with the harsh reality of returning home from the hospital with empty arms.“
We are public health
At Mothers’ Milk Bank Northeast, we’re not just feeding babies; we are building a network of care, compassion, and public health support that transforms lives. Learn more about how you can make a difference by:
