Mothers’ Milk Bank of Louisiana at Ochsner Baptist
Saving Lives with Human Milk
As a leader in neonatal care, obstetrics, and maternal fetal medicine, Ochsner understands the critical importance of human milk for infant growth and development that cannot be duplicated by formula. Mother’s milk is especially crucial to vulnerable premature babies and significantly decreases the odds of life-threatening complications and infections. A significant number of mothers of preterm infants are not able to breastfeed. Pasteurized donated human milk is the next best option.
About Us
The Mothers' Milk Bank of Louisiana at Ochsner Baptist will collect, process and provide donor human milk to premature and sick babies who need human milk to thrive. There are currently only 26 non-profit milk banks in United States. Ochsner Baptist seeks to become the first human milk bank in the state of Louisiana.
We have been accepted into the Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA) as a developing milk bank. We are currently raising funds to establish and support the Mothers' Milk Bank of Louisiana at Ochsner Baptist. If you are interested in making a gift to help bring this important resource to Louisiana, contact Traci Lucas at 504-842-6055 or traci.lucas@ochsner.org.
How to Donate Milk
The Mothers' Milk Bank of Louisiana at Ochsner Baptist is currently in the planning and development stage, but we do have a milk collection depot at Ochsner Baptist, where approved donors can bring their frozen breast milk. Donated milk will be sent to the Mother's Milk Bank at Austin for processing until our milk bank is fully operational. Once our milk bank officially opens we will be able to receive and pasteurize donor milk to be sent to Louisiana hospitals that need donor milk for their tiny babies.
Donor Mom Screening
Mothers who would like to donate should contact Laura at the Mothers' Milk Bank at Austin by calling 512-494-0800 or emailing laurat@milkbank.org.
Mothers will be screened at the milk bank’s expense.
Supporters
We would like to thank the following supporters for assisting with the planning and development of the Mothers’ Milk Bank of Louisiana:
| Friends in the Community | Ochsner Physicians and Employees | Goldring Family Foundation |
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To read more about the donation process, visit the Milk Bank at Austin website: http://www.milkbank.org/donate-milk/.
Once screening is complete, donors will receive an ID number and will be able to conveniently drop off milk donations at Ochsner Baptist.
Milk Donations Drop Off Information
- Drive through drop off available from 7:30am to 3:00pm, Monday through Friday (excluding holidays) with the valet on the 2nd floor of the Jena garage at Ochsner Baptist
- Outside of valet drop off hours, the Ochsner Baptist NICU unit front desk will accept drop offs. They are located on the 5th floor of the Clara Building are open 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
- All milk needs to be clearly labeled with the dates pumped and donor’s name and identification number.
- Frozen milk containers grouped into grocery bags should have an identification card in the bag, we have identification cards available at the depot or you can print at home using this file: Donor Identification Cards.
For questions related to the depot, please call Jennifer or Liz at 504-703-6455 (MILK).
- Screening - Mothers' Milk Bank at Austin: 512-494-0800 or laurat@milkbank.org
- Depot Drop Off - Jennifer or Liz: 504-703-6455 (MILK)
- Fundraising – Traci Lucas: 504-894-2017, traci.lucas@ochsner.org
- Milk Bank Development – Shelley Thibeau 504-842-2101 sthibeau@ochsner.org
We have diverse team consisting of: Neonatologists, Pediatricians, Obstetricians, Lactation consultants, NICU nurses and Community Members. Our medical director is Dr. Harley Ginsberg and the Milk Bank Director is Shelley Thibeau, PhD, RNC-NIC.
Birth Center of Baton Rouge
7941 Picardy Ave.
Baton Rouge, LA 70809
Donations accepted: Mon. and Fri. 8am-3pm
Phone : 225-761-1200
Lafayette General Medical Center
1214 Coolidge Blvd.
Lafayette, LA 70503
Donations accepted: Mon. - Fri. 8am-4pm
Valet pick up is available. Call to arrange for valet pickup: Darlene LeBlanc, RN, IBCLC, RLC: 337-289-7785
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