For Milk Recipients
Donor milk may be a good nutrition option for your baby. For some babies with complex medical needs, donor milk may be essential. It is always a good idea to talk to your baby’s doctor about your options regarding donor milk.
Hospital Use
Most of the pasteurized donor human milk dispensed by Milk Bank WGL is delivered to Wisconsin and Illinois hospitals. Donor milk is primarily used in the NICU or postpartum unit.
Examples of conditions that may warrant the use of donor milk include:
- prematurity
- small for gestational age
- GI disorders (e.g. gastroschisis, necrotizing enterocolitis)
- hypoglycemia
- hyperbilirubinemia
- sepsis
- heart disease
- organ transplant
- spinal muscular atrophy
- some metabolic diseases
- some congenital or acquired conditions
If you have questions about feeding donor milk to a baby that is currently in the hospital, talk to your doctor about your options.
If you are a current hospital partner and would like to order donor milk, please call 847-262-5134 or email orders@milkbankwgl.org.
Home Use
Donor milk may be used at home for many reasons, including:
- low milk supply or delayed supply
- parental absence or separation
- maternal medication contraindications
- adoption
- surrogacy
- parental conditions (e.g. HIV status)
Sometimes, a baby has more complex medical needs. Due to these conditions, they may require donor milk at home after leaving the hospital. Examples of may include:
- failure to thrive
- severe reflux
- severe formula intolerance
- GI disorders (e.g. gastroschisis, necrotizing enterocolitis)
- prematurity or small for gestational age
- heart, kidney, or liver disease
- spinal muscular atrophy
- some metabolic conditions
- some congenital or acquired conditions
Donor Milk Pricing
Using a HMBANA-accredited milk bank is the best way to ensure that your donor milk is safely screened and processed. There is a charge for pasteurized donor human milk because of the process that makes it safe — thorough screening of donors, testing, pasteurization, and careful handling. Please see our For Healthcare Providers page if you would like more information about our safety measures.
Milk Bank WGL works directly with each family to determine expected costs. We offer convenient self-pay options, including secure online credit card payments for any patient balance due.
Shipping is available via UPS or same day courier within a 50 mile radius, and prices will vary based on delivery location. There is a $15 dry ice fee for all UPS shipments.
Insurance Coverage
The cost of donor milk is sometimes covered by insurance. A staff member will help you to determine eligibility and benefits for your insurance plan. For specific information regarding insurance coverage in the state of Illinois, please review our Insurance Coverage Fact Sheet.
For military families in Wisconsin and Illinois, TRICARE has specific criteria for donor milk coverage, which can be found on their website. Prior authorization is required.
Insurance coverage is evaluated on a case-by-case basis and is subject to clinical need, insurance plan, group coverage benefits, and and each plan’s in-network or out-of-network status.
Please complete our Outpatient Interest Form and a member of our team will contact you as soon as possible to start the process. You can also contact us directly at 847-262-5134.
Charity Care
Milk Bank WGL’s Charity Care Program offers significant discounts for families in need who are not eligible for insurance coverage. Discounts may be offered based on financial need, clinical need, our available supply of donor milk, and any other relevant factors. Charity care is not available at dispensary locations.
How to Order
There are two ways to order donor milk for home use.
- Milk Dispensaries: Depending on your location, the quickest way may be to contact a dispensary. We partner with over 20 independent locations where families can purchase donor milk. This is ideal for short-term needs such as after hospital discharge, when transitioning to work, or during cases of travel. For dispensary locations and hours, see the locator map below.
- Directly from Milk Bank WGL: For long-term use or for clinical treatment, or if there is not a dispensary near you, please complete this brief Outpatient Interest Form.
If you are not sure where to start, you can contact us at 847-262-5134.
Outpatient Dispensaries
A milk dispensary is a healthcare location in the community that helps to increase access to donor milk. You can work with the organization directly to get donor milk for a baby at home. Dispensaries are best for short-term use.
We have a growing network of community donor milk dispensaries in Wisconsin and Illinois. Check here often for new dispensary locations opening in your area!
To receive donor milk from a dispensary, follow these steps:
Please Enter a City, County, or Zip Code to locate the nearest donor milk dispensary.
Outpatient Dispensary Directory
Questions?
Please reach out at any time for information about using milk in the home, finding a dispensary, or working with your hospital team to get donor milk for an inpatient.
Contact us at 847-262-5134 or email info@milkbankwgl.org if you have any questions.