Milk Bank WGL provides essential services for Wisconsin and Illinois hospitals and remained fully operational since the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic started. We understand that you may have concerns about COVID-19 and the safety of pasteurized donor human milk.

COVID-19 & Human Milk

  • There is no evidence that COVID-19 is transmitted through human milk. For more information about breastfeeding and COVID-19, visit: CDC: Breastfeeding & COVID-19 and Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine Statement on Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19)
  • Coronaviruses that are closely related to the strain that causes COVID-19 are readily killed during pasteurization. For more information visit: Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA): Milk Banking & COVID-19.
  • The CDC recommends that breastfeeding mothers who test positive for COVID-19 continue to breastfeed or pump milk for their child.

Safety Precautions

Precautions are always in place to ensure the safety of our milk, but are especially important during the COVID-19 outbreak:

  • Donors are screened for communicable diseases and receive blood tests before donating milk.
  • Donor milk is pasteurized to kill bacteria and viruses.
  • After pasteurization, milk is tested by a third party lab to ensure it is free of bacteria.
  • Milk Bank WGL’s lab and processing areas are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized and follow guidelines from the FDA, the Illinois Department of Public Health, Elk Grove Village Health Department, and the Human Milk Banking Association of North America.

Donor Milk Orders

  • Our team has increased donor screening and pasteurization efforts, and we are able to fulfill all hospital and outpatient donor milk orders.
  • We are fully staffed and available to assist with customer service, package tracking, and order fulfilment.
  • The order process remains the same:
  • Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
  • Order Deadline: 1:30 PM Monday – Thursday for existing customers.
  • Urgent Friday orders may be picked up at Milk Bank WGL or shipped via Next Day Air Saturday Delivery if available.
  • Courier service available to Chicagoland hospitals Monday – Friday.
  • Milk Bank WGL is committed to serving our hospitals and outpatients during COVID-19.