Did you know that we mix three or six donor moms’ milk together here in our lab? All milk is tested for its nutritional value so we can decide which moms’ milk to mix together to end up with a specific number of calories per ounce. Most milk dispensed at our milk bank is 20Kcal/ounce. We also supply 22Kcal/ounce and sometimes 24Kcal/ounce milk for the tiniest hospitalized preemies.
Our York Dairy Analyzer and Foss MilkoScan FT120 detect and measure the fat, protein and lactose of human milk. The milk is then pasteurized and cultured for bacterial growth. After testing, a final report of “no growth” received from our own medical laboratory allows the milk to be distributed to babies in need.
Breastmilk contains the nutrition sick and premature babies need in order to grow healthy and strong. Human milk is used by neonatologists because it plays a vital role in saving a baby’s life.
Dr. Sears from The Doctors recently asked our Executive Director, Amy Vickers, how we process breastmilk. See her talk about it here.