Thank you for your interest in becoming a human milk donor and donating your milk!  It is truly a life-saving gift.  

Once approved, you will need to follow procedures carefully to keep your milk safe for babies that will receive it. Much research has been done on the best ways to pasteurize milk while preserving the nutrition and germ fighting qualities. We follow the guidelines of the Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA).

Breast milk donation screening

Protecting the health of any baby who receives breast milk from a milk bank is of paramount importance. Milk banks screen breast milk donors very much like blood donors.  Potential donors can anticipate the following:

1. Verbal screening (typically completed over the phone)
2. Completion of a written health history and consents signed by the mother’s health care provider
3. Bloodwork (HIV-1, HIV-2, human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV), Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B surface antigen and syphilis) performed at CHOP in Philadelphia or in King of Prussia.  This bloodwork is done at the expense of the milk bank.
4. Donation: We require a minimum donation of 200 ounces for the first donation. If you choose to continue to donate, there is no minimum after the first. Milk must be dropped off at the Main Hospital after you are approved as a donor.

As you start storing your milk, it is helpful if you label each container with your last name, the pump date and the approximate volume.  We also recommend washing your hands prior to pumping and then washing your pump parts with soap and water after every use and sanitizing the parts once a day.  

Contact us

If you are interested in becoming a milk donor or have questions about the Mothers’ Milk Bank, call us at 267-425-1662 or email us.