Northern California babies in need during formula shortage get help from breastfeeding moms

North State parents whose babies are most vulnerable to the nationwide formula shortage could get some much-needed help from other mothers.

The North State Breastfeeding Coalition is hosting a frozen breast milk drive on Monday in Redding, Red Bluff and Chico. Women can donate frozen breast milk to a Northern California milk bank that distributes it to families with babies in need.

Demand for frozen breast milk increased this summer throughout the North State, as it did nationwide, said Pathways to Hope representative Amy Ross in Redding, a member of the North State Breastfeeding Coalition.

The coalition does annual breast milk drives each autumn, but “this is an emergency drive in response to the formula shortage,” Ross said.

Some North State parents depend entirely on formula, or they supplement breastfeeding with formula, she said.  "The milk bank provides milk for the most at-risk babies:" Those born premature, with allergies to ingredients in formula or with certain medical conditions.

"Many (parents) have had to travel outside our area to get formula or have had to pay higher prices for" the kind of formula their child needs, said Michelle Schmidt at the Tehama County Health Services Agency

While more people are asking for help this summer, the coalition also received more calls from mothers asking what they can do, said lactation consultant Kristi Richey in Redding, a member of the North State Breastfeeding Coalition. “We’ve been contacted by mothers that have extra breast milk that’s frozen, asking if they can donate it to infants in need.”

Donations will go to the Mother’s Milk Bank of San Jose for distribution throughout Northern California, according to Tehama County Health Services Agency spokesperson Minnie Sagar. North State parents who can't provide milk or formula for their baby can get a prescription for the breast milk.

“A small amount can make a huge difference," especially for a premature baby, Richey said.

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Donors are screened ahead of time, Ross said. Milk donated is tested for contaminants and anything that could harm a baby, and is then homogenized. Any donation that can’t be passed to an infant is used for medical research on breast milk.

Emergency breast milk drives are happening all over the country to help with the formula shortage, Richey said. Supply chain issues during the COVID pandemic created a nationwide shortage of the formula, leaving some parents desperate for help.

Mothers can donate breast milk year-round by mailing them to the milk bank, Richey said. The bank covers postage costs.

Donors are asked to bring donations to one of the following North State drives on Monday.

• In Redding from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Pathways to Hope for Children, 2280 Benton Drive, building C, suite B.

• In Red Bluff from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Tehama County Public Health's WIC center, 1850 Walnut St, building H.

• In Chico from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Butte County Public Health's WIC center, 2080 E. 20th St., suite 180

Donations must be no older than nine months from the day of expression.

To pre-screen go to mothersmilk.org/donate-milk.

For more information go to the North State Breastfeeding Coalition's Facebook page at facebook.com/NorthStateBreastfeedingCoalition.

Jessica Skropanic is a features reporter for the Record Searchlight/USA Today Network. She covers science, arts, social issues and entertainment stories. Follow her on Twitter @RS_JSkropanic and on Facebook. Join Jessica in the Get Out! Nor Cal recreation Facebook group. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. Thank you.

This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Breastfeeding mothers plan milk drive for Northern California babies