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Northwest Mothers Milk Bank

In Montana, one in nine infants is born prematurely. Prematurity puts an infant at risk for infection, prolonged hospital stays, and lifelong health complications. For infants with compromised health, receiving a human milk diet is critically important in supporting their growth and development. When a mother’s own milk is not 100% available, human donor milk is the next best feeding option.

In July 2024, Northwest Mothers Milk Bank (NWMMB) [donatemilk.org] [donatemilk.org]assumed the operations of the Mothers Milk Bank of Montana, with a bold goal: to reinvigorate nonprofit milk banking across the state. Established in 2008 as a nonprofit organization, NWMMB’s mission is to improve the health and survival of vulnerable infants. As an accredited member of Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA) [hmbana.org], NWMMB is committed to meeting the demand for donor human milk for Montana babies. To date, NWMMB has dispensed over 4.6 million ounces of safely pasteurized donor milk to infants in need.

NWMMB is raising awareness about the life-saving power of milk donation for fragile infants and building the infrastructure necessary to support safe and accessible donor milk.  In March, NWMMB marked a significant milestone— opening Montana’s first official Milk Drop site at St. Peter’s Health Regional Medical Center in Helena. Drop-off locations make it easy for screened mothers to donate milk, allowing them to make a powerful impact in their communities. Once collected, donated milk is gently pasteurized and dispensed to hospitals across Montana, where it supports babies in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and family birth centers. Babies who are cared for at home but have ongoing medical needs can access milk through outpatient programs. To learn more about Northwest Mothers Milk Bank in Montana, visit their website at www.donatemilk.org [donatemilk.org].