Every September, during NICU Awareness Month, we pause to honor the tiniest fighters, their families, and the incredible medical professionals who care for them. As a nonprofit dedicated to providing safe donor human milk to babies in need, most of whom are cared for in the NICU, this time of year holds special meaning for us. It’s a time to shed light on the realities of the NICU experience and the quiet but powerful role donor milk plays in helping fragile infants not only survive but thrive. Here, we get to know the NICU by the numbers . . .
10%
Approximately 1 in 10 babies born in the U.S. requires NICU care — that’s nearly 400,000 infants every year, a truly staggering number.
14 days
NICU stays can last anywhere from a single day to several months. Remember little TyQuell? His journey lasted over eight months. However, on average, most NICU stays clock in at about 14 days.
90%
Nearly 90% of U.S. NICUs rely on donor milk when a mother’s own milk isn’t available. Why? Because for vulnerable babies like MJ, human milk is more than nutrition — it’s a vital medical resource. Donor milk is the only proven alternative that protects against life-threatening complications like necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).
70%
Speaking of which, studies show that an exclusive human milk diet can reduce the risk of NEC by up to 70%. That’s huge — especially when you consider that NEC is the leading cause of death for premature infants after the age of two weeks. It’s also one of the many reasons why we’re so passionate about making donor milk available to babies in need.
1903
The NICU as we know it has come a long way. While the concept of using incubators for premature infants originated in Europe, U.S. history often traces its beginnings back to 1903 — when Dr. Martin Couney famously showcased incubators in his Coney Island exhibit.
At the time, incubators were considered strange and unproven, so American hospitals largely refused to use them. Undeterred, Dr. Couney set up shop in amusement parks to care for premature babies himself. Unconventional? Yes. Revolutionary? Also yes. And the results seemingly speak for themselves, as Dr. Couney and his team are widely credited with saving more than 6,500 lives.
21 weeks
Prematurity is still the leading reason babies are admitted to the NICU. One remarkable story is that of baby Nash. Born at just 21 weeks, this little warrior is also known as the world’s most premature baby. Against all odds, Nash recently celebrated his first birthday — a milestone honored by his family, his care team, the media, and even Guinness World Records.
460 days
For babies like Nash, the journey can be long. Nash spent 198 days in the NICU — and that’s not the longest stay on record. Little Phillip Gaines holds that title after spending 460 days under the dedicated care of his NICU team.
3 meals
When we say “every ounce counts,” we really mean it. Just one ounce of donor milk can provide up to three meals for the tiniest babies.
100+ hospitals
Hospitals can only rely on accredited milk banks like ours that ensure the highest safety standards for severely medically fragile babies. As an accredited nonprofit milk bank, we’re proud to provide donor milk to more than 100 hospitals—mostly NICUs—across the Northeast. Our reach ensures the most vulnerable among us receive the safe, ethically sourced donor milk they need to grow and thrive.
You can help
Have more milk than your baby needs? Consider becoming a milk donor. As we always say, every ounce counts, and every donor makes a difference! Not in a position to donate but still want to support NICU babies? Spread the word about the importance of donor milk and help us reach more families in need. Together, we can build families, futures, and hope.
