Northwest mothers milk bank
Our mission: Northwest Mothers Milk Bank improves the health and survival of the Northwest’s most vulnerable babies.
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Our vision: A NW region where every baby has access to the human milk they need.
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Source: Northwest Mothers Milk Bank, donatemilk.org, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gBnR7oc58A
Underlying Social Context
Human milk is designed for human babies. It is natures perfect food for infants. Alternative feeding options, such as formula, exist but do not always meet the needs of the most vulnerable infants for whom a human milk diet can life saving. When a mothers own milk (or parents own milk) is not available, pasteurized donor human milk is the next best option.
The primary population that donor milk is targeted towards is premature infants.
A human milk diet is the foundation of health in infants, especially when they are premature. Premature birth is the leading cause of death for infants in the United States and the distribution of premature birth is disproportionately concentrated in communities of color.
Human milk is designed for human babies. It is natures perfect food for infants. Alternative feeding options, such as formula, exist but do not always meet the needs of the most vulnerable infants for whom a human milk diet can life saving. When a mothers own milk (or parents own milk) is not available, pasteurized donor human milk is the next best option.
The primary population that donor milk is targeted towards is premature infants.
A human milk diet is the foundation of health in infants, especially when they are premature. Premature birth is the leading cause of death for infants in the United States and the distribution of premature birth is disproportionately concentrated in communities of color.
History of NWMMB
Northwest Mothers Milk Bank was founded in 2008 as a not for profit community based milk bank. We belong to the Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA) which sets guidelines and and grants accreditation to non profit milk banks across North America. NWMMB has distributed more than a million ounces of milk since pasteurizing began in 2013. Currently the cost of donor milk is $4.50/oz which is paid for by hospital feeding plans, some insurance reimbursement, out of pocket by families, or through charitable care. |
Plan of Action
Capstone Goal: To ensure and improve equitable access of pasteurized donor human milk by looking at where our milk comes from and where it is distributed. Long Term Goal: Long term the goal is to reduce the cost of donor milk and to increase insurance coverage to allow for more babies to have the ability to access a human milk diet. Because donor milk is cost prohibitive, access outside of charitable care is not necessarily equitable. |
Discussion of UNST Goals
Currently our organization is primarily white. Along with increasing equitable access to donor milk it is a goal of the milk bank to also prioritize diversity in the workplace. My thought process in making the decision to work on this process was natural in that it was a continuation of a project I had started years ago when I was a volunteer and now that I have had more education I feel as though I can execute it better. The communication connection here is being able to visualize and use the data we already have to make better decisions in our planning to increase access to milk. Serving the community is at the heart of our organization.
My plan is to look through the data that we have for nearly 6,000 donors to see the demographics of our donor base. Once I have this compiled I plan to see how the donor base has grown over time and with interventions such as milk drop sites in certain areas or by a hospital starting a donor milk program. Long term the goal would be to also look at who is receiving our milk.
Currently our organization is primarily white. Along with increasing equitable access to donor milk it is a goal of the milk bank to also prioritize diversity in the workplace. My thought process in making the decision to work on this process was natural in that it was a continuation of a project I had started years ago when I was a volunteer and now that I have had more education I feel as though I can execute it better. The communication connection here is being able to visualize and use the data we already have to make better decisions in our planning to increase access to milk. Serving the community is at the heart of our organization.
My plan is to look through the data that we have for nearly 6,000 donors to see the demographics of our donor base. Once I have this compiled I plan to see how the donor base has grown over time and with interventions such as milk drop sites in certain areas or by a hospital starting a donor milk program. Long term the goal would be to also look at who is receiving our milk.
Reflection
Becoming connected with NWMMB changed the trajectory of my life. Through this work I have found an angle of my passion that I did not know existed. Being able to work with this organization has been such a privilege and growth opportunity.
The most rewarding part of this work is knowing that what we do really matters. Serving one of the most fragile populations alongside a group of women who care so deeply is a gift.
If I could do something different about this term it would be giving myself the mental space to really feel like I could do the work. Given the circumstances surrounding this term I feel as though I sacrificed in some areas I wish I hadn't. My project will continue past this term and I aim to have a product that we can really work with.
The most rewarding part of this work is knowing that what we do really matters. Serving one of the most fragile populations alongside a group of women who care so deeply is a gift.
If I could do something different about this term it would be giving myself the mental space to really feel like I could do the work. Given the circumstances surrounding this term I feel as though I sacrificed in some areas I wish I hadn't. My project will continue past this term and I aim to have a product that we can really work with.
Next Steps
NWMMB will continue to work on its strategic goals and expand upon them when possible. In the coming year there are plans to open a BabyCafe which would provide no cost lactation services. There are also plans to expand charitable care and strategize ways to lower the cost of donor milk. Reaching more hospitals, especially ones that serve marginalized communities, is an ongoing goal.
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As my undergraduate education comes to an end I am going to give myself some time and space to think about next steps. My employment plan is to continue my work with NWMMB. Outside of work I would love to be more involved in the lactation and perinatal health community. In addition I would like to do some independent studying on how capitalism and systemic racism impacts and undermines women's health.
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