Mercy launches Donor Milk Program

Mercy Medical Center is announcing a new program to support mothers who want to exclusively breastfeed their babies, but who are unable to do so for a variety of reasons.

Through its new Donor Milk Program, Mercy will offer donor breast milk to any hospitalized newborn who needs to be supplemented. A baby might need supplemental milk if he or she is losing weight or not breastfeeding well. In situations like these, Mercy will now offer families the option to choose between donor milk and formula to supplement the mother’s breast milk.

Any hospitalized newborn is eligible to receive donor milk; the program is not limited to babies in Mercy’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Newborns in Mercy’s Birthplace will also benefit from the Donor Milk Program.

Mercy’s program has no income requirements or insurance restrictions; the program will be funded in full by Mercy and is available to patients at no charge.

The donor breast milk is purchased from University of Iowa Health Care’s Mother’s Milk Bank of Iowa.