Milk Donor Program Opens for New Mothers at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital - Tyler
December 27, 2022
Tyler, Texas - For new mothers who are unable to breastfeed or just need supplementation for their babies, the new Donor Milk to Go program at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Tyler, is here to help.
Partnering with the Northeast Texas Milk Bank, the Donor Milk to Go (DMTG) program provides breastmilk for purchase to use as a bridge until the mother’s natural milk comes in, usually in three to four days after giving birth.
In fact, the first donor was a CHRISTUS Associate, Abbey Alexander, who has already donated twice, and plans on doing it again.
“After watching one of my friends use donor milk for her kids, I learned how donor milk is utilized for anyone who needs it for their babies,” said Alexander. “Being able to donate has truly been one of the best things I have ever done, and I am so grateful that CHRISTUS has found the importance and value of becoming a donation location for our amazing community.”
Currently, CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital is the only location in East Texas with such a program.
Previously, patients would have to purchase and pick up milk from the Dallas area. “We are able to now provide a service that was not available in Tyler previously,” said Melanie Miller, Women’s Center clinical director. “We are providing the best nutrition available to our patients next to their own mother’s milk. We are helping support our patients’ breastfeeding goals.”
The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development recognizes that breastfeeding provides essential nutrition to newborns, offer protection against common childhood infections, and may reduce the risk for certain asthmatic diseases, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.
“The American Academy of Pediatrics updated their guidance this year to recommend exclusive breastfeeding for six months, followed by complementary foods and continued breastfeeding until two years or beyond,” said Caroline Pillsbury, registered nurse and lactation consultant. “We were eager to find a bridge to help mom continue providing breast milk to her baby at home while she works on increasing her own milk supply.”
Part of the DMTG program is the Donor Milk Depot, which serves as a drop off location for mothers who want to donate to the Milk Bank. Mother Frances Hospital is one of only two Donor Milk Depot locations in Tyler, along with NET Health WIC – Tyler.
“The Donor Milk to Go program is a tangible example of living our mission, to extend the healing hand of Jesus Christ. Now, our community is joining us in living that mission,” said Peggy Eisele, administrative director for women and children’s services at Mother Frances Hospital. “It is an honor to be able to support our community and our families in this way.”
For more information, visit www.texasmilkbank.org.