A Dozen Years of Milk Banking in North Texas

Wednesday, 9/21/2016

While Mothers’ Milk Bank of North Texas is a vital part of caring for critically ill infants today, 12 years ago it was just getting started. Before the establishment of MMBNT, local neonatologists utilized donor milk from other milk banks in neonatal intensive care units. It soon became clear that North Texas needed its own milk bank to meet the demand for donor milk in the area.

Dr. Susan Sward-Comunelli, a Fort Worth neonatologist, organized a group of child health advocates to support the establishment of a local milk bank. This group believed in serving babies with donor milk from this community and others across North Texas.

Mothers’ Milk Bank of North Texas dispensed its first batch of milk in the fall of 2004. In 2004, MMBNT dispensed 4,155 ounces to premature and critically ill infants. Steady growth meant that the milk bank outgrew its first location within Fort Worth’s Child Study Center. To accommodate the increasing amount of milk both received and dispensed, MMBNT moved to its current location on West Magnolia Avenue in Fort Worth in 2011.

With each year, MMBNT has continued to serve more babies in need. In 2015, 552,761 ounces were dispensed, and the milk bank is on track for more growth in 2016. So far, 2016 has welcomed 520 new donor moms and 5 new milk collection sites, or depots.

“The future is very bright at Mothers’ Milk Bank of North Texas,” Amy Vickers, Executive Director, said. “Our staff is passionate about helping premature and critically ill infants, and strives to serve more every year. We are excited about our growth and furthering our special mission of saving tiny, precious lives.”

For more information about Mothers’ Milk Bank of North Texas, click here.