Efforts underway to bring Mountain West Mothers' Milk Bank to Utah

Efforts underway to bring Mountain West Mothers' Milk Bank to Utah

(Mary Richards/KSL Newsradio)


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SALT LAKE CITY — Doctors say mother's milk is best for babies, and that's why breast-feeding advocates have been trying for years to get a mothers' milk bank in Utah.

They are getting closer to that goal, which helps the tiniest among us.

In the Newborn ICU at Primary Children's Hospital, some of these tiny babies need help with breathing or blood pressure or eating. And the best thing for their bodies is mother's milk. Donated breast milk helps new moms who are sick or building up their production to bridge the gap.

The Mothers' Milk Center has large freezers holding clearly labeled containers with each baby's name. The donated milk is measured in ounces, Ellen Luchtenberg, the lactation service manager at Primary Children's Hospital, explained.

"The main focus is our premature and medically fragile babies," she said. "Great donors have donated a lot. Denver processes it, and then sends it back. There's such a great need for milk. We use quite a bit of it here at Primary Children's Hospital."

At Intermountain Medical Center's NICU, new mom Ashley Nowlin has been supplementing her new twins with donated milk. They came just before 35 weeks gestation and are growing stronger every day.

"I'm grateful that people have donated. With twins, I'm not producing enough, and then on top of it, not being with them 24 hours a day makes it hard," she said.

IMC is also one of the new breast milk collection centers around the state. Women go through a one-time screening process before being able to drop off their extra milk. Assistant nurse manager Alice Adams takes it and puts it in a freezer. They started with a small freezer but have since upgraded because of the response.

Milk for babies in the NICU at Intermountain Health Center. Photo: Mary Richards/KSL Newsradio
Milk for babies in the NICU at Intermountain Health Center. Photo: Mary Richards/KSL Newsradio

"We ship it to Denver frozen, they melt it all together in a big group and pasteurize it there, then refreeze it in small portions and send some of it back to us," Adams said.

She said sometimes there's a 24-hour delay for hospitals, though, so they have to decide which baby will get the milk first. Moms at home who get a prescription for the milk for their baby have to have it shipped from Denver's milk bank.

"It would be nicer to have it here," Luchtenberg said.

That's what she and Judy Harris at the Utah Department of Health have been working toward for years.

"Our goal is for a physical site for a Mountain West Mothers' Milk Bank here in Utah," Harris said.

The two started by setting up collection sites and raising awareness about donating extra breast milk, often called liquid gold. Now they would love to raise money.

"If we had a site here, we could receive more milk and have more control over the screening process and the distribution process, and serve our region more adequately and efficiently," Harris said.

Fundraiser

A fundraising gala* is set for March 10 with the hopes to raise thousands of dollars for the Mountain West Mothers' Milk Bank.

"There will be dinner, entertainment and a live and silent auction. We would love anyone in the community to come," she said.

Those who cannot donate money or milk can spread the word.

"In Utah, we are so family oriented; we are so pro-family. This is one of the most important things," Harris said.

It's what is getting Nowlin ready for the day to take her NICU babies home.

"Obviously, I didn't think I'd need it, so I am grateful for the people who have donated milk. Hopefully, there can be more progress out here," she said.

*KSL.com has not verified the accuracy of the information provided with respect to the fundraiser nor does KSL.com assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a donation to the fundraiser you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.

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