Hand with candle with a starry background

Donate milk after loss

Following a pregnancy or infant loss, some families take comfort in donating their baby’s milk to a milk bank.

You may have stored breast milk at home or in the hospital. Or you may be thinking about starting or continuing to pump.

We respect and honor any decision you make about milk donation. If you choose to donate milk, we will guide you through the process.

Donation Process

Donate your milk

The first step is to fill out a donor interest form.

Interest form

Fill out the donor interest form to get started.

Fill out the form

Phone interview

We will contact you for a brief phone call & guide you through the donor application.

Blood draw

A blood draw is optional. You are not required to complete this step to donate your milk.

Donate

We will pick up your milk from the hospital or from your home. Any amount of milk is accepted for donation.

Hand cradling tiny feet of premature infant

Helpful Tips

Methods to increase or decrease supply

To establish or maintain full milk production

Your pumping routine should reflect your personal goals.
Some moms pump for a few days or weeks, while other continue pumping longer.
Consider pumping 6-8 times/day. You may choose to pump more or less often.
Pump for about 15 minutes, or until your breasts are empty and the milk flow has slowed or stopped.
Wash your pump parts in warm, soapy water after each use and air dry. Ask the milk bank for milk collection and storage instructions.

To decrease or stop milk production

Milk production is a supply and demand system. Gradually decrease the number of times you pump each day; your milk volume will go down as you pump less frequently.
If you are full and uncomfortable, you may express milk “to comfort”. When pumping or hand expressing, express just enough milk to relieve the pressure. Warm showers can also help.
You can use cold compresses on the breasts for 20 minutes to ease discomfort and swelling.
Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help with pain or swelling.

A Mother’s Place

Poppy’s Dream Memorial Program

We support you through the donation process and beyond. Poppy’s Dream Memorial is a sanctuary for families navigating the profound grief of loss. If you wish to participate in Poppy’s Dream Memorial Program, your donation and your baby will be honored.

A beautiful, immersive, mural features glass mosaics and custom woodwork in Poppy’s Dream Memorial Community Space. Custom stars are hand-painted with the names and birthdays of each baby honored. If you would like, we will acknowledge your milk donation by hand-painting their name on a star.

You are invited to come to the milk bank to place your baby’s star in the sky. You are welcome to bring friends and family to this private event. While some families cherish the opportunity to place their baby’s star(s), others prefer we place them on the mural. We honor your wishes in every step of the process.

Each year, the milk bank holds an open house and candle lighting ceremony for Star families. In May 2026, we held our 9th annual ceremony, honoring over 700 star babies.

“… even though i don’t know those children … every time their mothers tell their stories, they’re sharing a little bit of mine…”

Christine Babinski, donated breast milk in honor of her daughter, Poppy Delphine Babinski

For Healthcare Providers

Some bereaved families do not know about the option of milk donation until it is too late. We are working to increase educational opportunities regarding bereavement milk donation. We offer in-service presentations to participating hospitals and healthcare partners. By increasing awareness, we can help families who suffer perinatal loss make the choice that is right for them.

For more information about our Poppy’s Dream program, please contact Susan, our Program Manager, at susan@milkbankwgl.org.