Get donor milk
When mother’s milk is unavailable, donor milk can help bridge the gap.
Milk Bank WGL provides pasteurized donor human milk to hospitals and families using milk at home. Some families use donor milk for a short time while mother’s milk supply grows, while recovering from birth, or after a hospital stay. For babies with complex medical needs, donor milk may be a critical part of their care.
Talk with your baby’s doctor or care team about whether donor milk is right for your baby.
When you’re ready, we’ll help you understand your options and how to order milk.
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 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
Hospital use
Pasteurized donor human milk dispensed by Milk Bank WGL is delivered to Wisconsin and Illinois hospitals. Donor milk is primarily used in the NICU and postpartum units.
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 or care team about your options.
Pricing & Insurance
Understanding donor milk costs
Our donor milk is carefully screened, tested, pasteurized, and safely handled. Because of these safety steps, there is a cost for donor milk. We will review pricing and help you understand your payment options before you place an order.
Insurance coverage
Some insurance plans may cover donor milk. Coverage depends on your baby’s medical needs, your insurance plan, and whether prior authorization is required.
Our team can help you understand the next steps and review what information may be needed for your plan.
For more information, review the Illinois Insurance Coverage Fact Sheet. Military families can also review donor milk guidelines, including prior authorization steps, on the TRICARE website.
Charity Care
Our Charity Care program offers significant discounts for families in need who are not eligible for insurance coverage. Discounts are offered based on financial need, clinical need, our available supply of donor milk, and other relevant factors.
Charity care is not available at dispensary locations.
Recipient Process
How to order donor milk
There are two ways to get donor milk for home use. The best option may depend on where you live and how quickly you need milk.
Not sure where to start? Call us at 847-262-5134 and we’ll help you choose the right next step.
Dispensary Locations
Locate a milk dispensary near you
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 donor milk dispensaries in Wisconsin and Illinois.
To receive donor milk from a dispensary, follow these steps:
Enter City, County, or Zip Code to locate the nearest dispensary.
