for healthcare professionals
Everything your team needs to offer donor milk, in one place.
The Milk Bank helps hospitals meet the Joint Commission Perinatal Core Measure for exclusive human milk feeding. Whether you are starting a PDHM program or ordering for an established one, here is how to partner, order, and handle donor milk safely.
getting started
Adding donor milk to your protocol is simpler than it sounds.
The Milk Bank staff are available for educational in-service sessions and presentations for hospital staff, and can provide policy guidance and support to help you implement a PDHM program. Every hospital partner works with a dedicated Director of Hospital Services at each step.
Ready to partner? Contact Jacque Hernandez, Chief Patient Experience Officer, at 317.536.1670 ext. 121 or jhernandez@themilkbank.org.
Building the clinical case internally? See the evidence for hospitals
clinical use
Who receives donor milk.
The Milk Bank regularly supplies NICUs, postpartum units, and outpatients with safe pasteurized donor human milk (PDHM). PDHM is dispensed for clinical use to treat a wide range of conditions, including:
- Conditions associated with prematurity
- Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), or susceptibility to it
- Jaundice
- Hypoglycemia
- Failure to thrive or issues with weight loss/gain
- Cardiac and congenital heart disease
- GI conditions
- Severe reflux
- Metabolic or genetic conditions
- Renal diagnoses
- Neonatal abstinence syndrome
- Pre- and post-operative nutrition
- Adoption, surrogacy and parental conditions
- Delayed onset of lactation or low milk supply
- Maternal illness, absence or death
The cost case
NEC is the most common cause of death in hospitalized premature infants after two weeks of age. Its emotional toll and NICU cost burden is significant. Research shows a reduction in length of stay, NEC and sepsis may return roughly $11 in savings for every $1 spent on PDHM (Wight, J Perinatol, 2001). The cost of donor milk is small compared with the savings from NEC prevention (Arnold, J Hum Lact, 2002).
safety, quality and research
The Milk Bank is accredited and audited by the Human Milk Banking Association of North America. Donors are screened using medical and lifestyle history plus required serological testing. Milk is Holder pasteurized, then independently lab tested.
ordering and handling
Ordering and handling donor milk at the bedside.
How to order
Once a purchasing agreement is in place, send a purchase order by whichever channel is easiest, all three reach the same team: email orders@themilkbank.org, fax 317.536.1676, or call 317.536.1670. We can fill orders on a temporary or emergent basis while we establish a purchase agreement.
Orders placed before 2:30 pm EST ship for next-day delivery. Milk is dispensed Monday through Thursday. Always call if a need is urgent.
Storing and Handling Human Milk
We rely on current, evidence-based guidance from Best Practice for Expressing, Storing and Handling Human Milk in Hospitals, Homes and Childcare Settings and recommend all units have a copy. But we’re happy to provide guidance as well.
What bottle sizes and calorie options are available?
Standard offerings include 2 oz and 4 oz bottles, with 20 calories per ounce standard and higher-calorie options available by request. Contact Hospital Services for the current product list and ordering details.
For the current product matrix and ordering contacts, download the 2026 PDHM Product Page.
Where can approved donors drop off milk?
Approved donors can use community Milk Depots or request shipping supplies. Find Milk Depot and shipping information.
Where can families pick up donor milk?
Families receiving outpatient donor milk can use Milk Express pickup sites or arrange shipping. Find Milk Express information.
resources and training
Need materials or training for your unit?
Request clinical resources, schedule an in-service, or contact the hospital team for help with ordering, handling, policy questions, or implementation.