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Mothers’ Milk Bank of Louisiana at Ochsner Baptist

How do I donate milk to Mothers’ Milk Bank of Louisiana at Ochsner Baptist?

By donating human milk to Mothers’ Milk Bank of Louisiana at Ochsner Baptist, you help children in Louisiana, Mississippi, and beyond. To get started, call 504-703-6455.

When you call, we’ll ask for the following information:

  • Name
  • Home address
  • Phone number
  • Email address
  • Your baby’s age

Before donating, you must complete the following:

  • 15-minute phone interview
  • An information packet
  • Blood screening (at no cost to you)

The director of Mothers’ Milk Bank of Louisiana reviews your information to ensure you’re a good candidate to donate milk. To donate milk, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Avoid regular alcohol consumption
  • Be a non-smoker, non-illegal drug user who is in general good health
  • Have milk stored for no more than nine months, which was pumped when your infant was 9 months or younger
  • Not take certain medications

You can email us at mothersmilkbank@ochsner.org if you have additional questions.

Once approved for donation, you receive an ID number. This number allows you to conveniently drop off donor human milk at one of our conveniently located depots.

When dropping off milk, please label it clearly. Include the date and time that you pumped each container of milk. Place an identification card inside bags that contain multiple frozen containers of milk.

Fully accredited by the Human Milk Banking Association of North America, Mothers’ Milk Bank of Louisiana at Ochsner Baptist was Louisiana’s first human milk bank and the 24th nonprofit milk bank in the United States. When infants need the services of a milk bank, we’re here to serve.

At Mothers’ Milk Bank of Louisiana, researchers, donor coordinators, milk laboratory technicians and other specialists ensure donated milk is properly prepared for babies in need following Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA) standards. Milk pasteurization, testing and preparation take place at Ochsner Baptist - A Campus of Ochsner Medical Center.

We also offer several depot sites, making it easy for residents of Louisiana and Mississippi to drop off donations. Depot sites include the following:

Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center
1214 Coolidge St.
Lafayette, LA 70503
337-289-7785

Ochsner Baton Rouge Lactation Services
17000 Medical Center Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70816
225-755-4448

Birth Center of Baton Rouge
277 Rue de la Vie
Baton Rouge, LA 70817
225-761-1200

Pink and Blue Avenue
4070 Nelson Road, Suite 900
Lake Charles, LA 70605
337-477-6587

Ochsner Health Center - Kenner
200 West Esplanade Blvd.
Kenner, LA 70065
504-464-8345

CHRISTUS St. Francis Cabrini
3330 Masonic Drive
Alexandria, LA 71301
318-448-6856

St. Tammany Parish Hospital
1202 South Tyler St.
Covington, LA 70443
985-898-4555

Ochsner St. Anne Hospital
4608 Highway 1
Raceland, LA 70394
985-537-8297

Ochsner LSU Health St. Mary
1 St. Mary Place
Shreveport, LA 71101
318-626-0925

Preterm infants are at risk for a condition called necrotizing enterocolitis, which results in inflamed intestines, bacterial infection and damage to the colon and intestines. Without proper care, the infant may die.

Pasteurized donor human milk helps offset these potential dangers. Unfortunately, some mothers of preterm infants cannot produce their own milk. That’s where Mothers’ Milk Bank of Louisiana steps in.

By connecting preterm babies with pasteurized donor human milk, Mothers’ Milk Bank of Louisiana at Ochsner Baptist gives babies the best chance at surviving and thriving.

Our pasteurized donor human milk serves inpatient families across Ochsner and most neonatal intensive care units in Louisiana. We also serve health facilities in Mississippi and Alabama. In certain situations, we supply outpatients in need of human milk.

Mothers’ Milk Bank of Louisiana exists thanks to generous donors. Supporters who assisted with planning and development include community friends and families and the following:

  • Ochsner Health physicians and employees

Want to ensure future generations have access to life-saving milk? Contact us to learn how to donate to Mothers’ Milk Bank of Louisiana.

If you have lost a child, Mothers’ Milk Bank of Louisiana can help bring healing, while honoring you and your child. Our aim is to be your support and ally at this time in your life.

Why am I producing milk when I don’t have my baby?

Your body continues making milk until you actively take steps to stop the milk supply. Upon the loss of your baby, you can continue expressing milk as long as you feel comfortable. You may express by hand or with an electric breast pump.

Continued lactation offers the following benefits for your well-being:

  • Serves as the evidence and significance of your baby and motherhood
  • Honors your journey and your child
  • Helps you move through the grief process
  • Completes the reproductive cycle
  • Releases hormones that help reduce symptoms of depression

What happens if I choose to donate my milk?

You can donate milk in honor of your lost baby. Donating milk to a nonprofit milk bank is a generous gift that feeds premature infants whose mothers cannot provide their own milk.

To donate stored milk to help a fragile preterm infant, please contact the Mothers’ Milk Bank of Louisiana at 504-703-6455.

How do I stop my milk supply?

If you do not express or pump, your milk will dry up. In the meantime, it may take several days before your breasts feel comfortable. Contact your healthcare provider or an Ochsner lactation consultant at 504-842-6709 or 504-842-5210 for help stopping your milk supply safely and comfortably.

Support Groups

Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support Group
Baton Rouge General Health Center
8585 Picardy Ave.
Baton Rouge, LA 70809
225-387-7738

Office of Public Health
707A East Prien Lake Road
Lake Charles, LA 70601
337-475-3224

Perinatal Bereavement Services
East Jefferson General Hospital
4200 Houma Blvd.
Metairie, LA 70006
504-454-4099

The Compassionate Friends - Greater New Orleans Chapter
Lafreniere Park (Foundation Center Conference Room)
3000 Downs Blvd.
Metairie LA 70003
504-265-0581

Online Resources for Support

FAQs

We supply outpatient donor milk to community families. Outpatient donor milk is dispensed to infants with medical needs. The application process requires a short phone interview, during which we ask for your contact information and discuss insurance coverage and payment options (we accept cash, check or credit card). Do note that we require a prescription and statement of medical need from your pediatrician. We do not offer financial assistance but we do bill insurance coverage.

Mothers’ milk is best. It contains specific nutrition and disease-fighting components that improve preterm infant growth and development. However, when mothers’ milk is not available, pasteurized donor human milk is the next best option.

As of August 2020, Louisiana provides Medicaid coverage for using pasteurized donor human milk in a hospital. In 2022, Louisiana legislators approved inpatient and outpatient coverage for pasteurized donor human milk. Ochsner will bill your coverage for the donor milk you receive.

We are a nonprofit milk bank. As such, we do not purchase human milk.

Currently we do not dispense donor milk labeled as vegetarian, vegan or dairy free as we cannot ensure that the donors followed these diets strictly

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Map of Ochsner-affiliated facilities that provide services related to Mothers’ Milk Bank of Louisiana at Ochsner Baptist

Mothers’ Milk Bank of Louisiana at Ochsner Baptist Locations

Ochsner Baptist - A Campus of Ochsner Medical Center
2700 Napoleon Ave.
New Orleans, LA 70115
  • Open 24/7