A mother’s own breast milk is nearly always baby’s best first food; however, it is sometimes not available. In such cases, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the US Surgeon General, the World Health Organization, and others, safely pasteurized donor human milk is the next best option.
Reasons to Receive Milk
Donor milk can be used as a temporary bridge until mother’s own milk comes in, or longer term as needed. Visit our Prescribing Donor Milk page to see some of the reasons a baby might need donor milk.
How to Order Milk
To order milk as an outpatient:
Inpatient babies who need donor milk can receive it in the hospital if they meet hospital guidelines. If your hospital doesn’t have a donor milk program, you may still be allowed to bring some in. Ask your lactation consultant, nurse, or doctor and contact us with questions.
Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, we will have limited milk supply. Outpatient ordering is closed at this time. We expect to re-open it on Tuesday 12/06/2022 although cannot guarantee order fulfillment. Thank you for understanding our prioritization of the most medically fragile hospitalized babies.
PLEASE NOTE: Milk ordering is temporarily suspended.
Pasteurized donor human milk is a limited medical resource. Our mission is to serve the most fragile babies first. Completion of the ordering form does not guarantee your order will be fulfilled. You will receive notification if we are unable to fulfill your order
Outpatient Donor Milk Dispensaries
Families who live near Northampton, MA; Glastonbury, CT; Lewiston, ME; Portland, ME; Belmont, NH; Lebanon, NH; or Essex Junction, VT may be able to pick up milk at one of our donor milk dispensaries. To learn more, visit our Donor Milk Dispensaries page. If you would like to pick up milk at any of our dispensaries please contact them directly.
Safe Milk Requires a Processing Fee
Using a HMBANA-certified milk bank like Mothers’ Milk Bank Northeast is the best way to ensure that your donor milk is safely screened, processed and distributed. There is a charge for pasteurized donor human milk because of the process that makes it safe—thorough screening of donors, testing, pasteurizing, and careful shipping.
Financial Assistance
If your baby has a prescription for donor milk and you are facing financial difficulties, you may qualify for our GIFT Program. Read more about the program here.
Insurance Coverage
If your baby is already home, then you must purchase the milk yourself. Although it is rare, health insurance occasionally covers some or all of the cost, so we encourage you to call your company to request coverage. For military families, TRICARE covers donor milk from HMBANA milk banks for certain conditions, when prescribed by a TRICARE-authorized provider. Currently Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, California, Kansas, Missouri, Texas, Utah, Illinois, Oregon, Louisiana, Kentucky and Washington, DC have Medicaid and/or insurance mandates or coverage provisions. Advocacy for coverage in other states is ongoing.
Helpful Documents
Storing, thawing, and warming frozen donor milk
HIPAA Privacy Practices Notice
Medical Professionals
To order donor milk for a hospital, see our resources for medical professionals.
Mothers’ Milk Bank Northeast: Safe. Trusted. Lifesaving.