'Ohio moms are the best.' Mothers' Milk Bank opens Canton donor site

Charita M. Goshay, The Repository
·3 min read

CANTON − Breast milk is as vital for at-risk infants as blood is for trauma patients, according to Jennifer Foster, a nurse with the OhioHealth Mothers' Milk Bank.

The nonprofit chose Canton to open its 20th "milk drop," or breast milk donation site, under the auspices of the Canton City Public Health Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition program.

OhioHealth, based in Columbus, is a nationwide health care outreach of the United Methodist Church.

What is a Mothers' Milk Bank?

The OhioHealth Mothers' Milk Bank furnishes donated, pasteurized breast milk for sick infants whose mothers are unable to provide enough supply to nourish them. It is one of 29 milk banks in the U.S., along with three in Canada.

The donated milk goes primarily to medically fragile infants and those in neonatal intensive care units.

"We're so dependent on our donor moms," Foster said. "We're so grateful for them, and want to make it as easy as possible."

Last year, the OhioHealth Mothers' Milk Bank collected 421,107 ounces in donations for 114,000 bottles, which was given to 76 hospitals in 11 states.

Potential breast milk donors undergo a multifaceted screening process that includes a medical and lifestyle history review; a signed medical release from the donor and physician; and consent to receive a blood test to screen for HIV, HTLV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and syphilis.

There's also an analysis of the milk, with a goal of 20 calories per ounce.

Donations are frozen, then shipped to OhioHealth's offices in Columbus, where they're redistributed throughout the state and country through a doctor's prescription.

Foster said the Milk Bank approves between 25 to 40 donors a month.

How to donate breast milk in Stark County

Foster said the benefits of breast milk are well-documented:

  • Babies reach full feeding sooner and need fewer IVs

  • It matures newborns' intestines faster

  • Babies spend fewer days in the hospital

  • It reduces the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis,a potentially fatal bowel infection

  • It reduces risk of sepsis and other infections

  • It provides long-term IQ advantages

  • It helps to foster healthier older children and adults.

OhioHealth Mothers' Milk Bank also gives special recognition to "bereaved" donors who give milk in memory of their babies, Foster said.

The Canton office of WIC is handling the local donation process. WIC offers nutrition and breastfeeding education support to eligible families at its four offices in Canton, Massillon, Alliance and the Stark County Health Department.

"We're happy to help support the program," said City Health Commissioner Jim Adams. "It's important to have a place that supports our most vulnerable babies and children."

Stark County WIC program Director Laura Roach noted that while WIC is a natural partner for the Milk Bank, WIC's own programs are being underutilized.

"We want to help as many people as we can," she said.

Currently 4,700 families are enrolled in Stark County.

"With food prices so high, we don't know why it's not increasing," Adams said.

Local breast milk donations will be stored in a freezer located at the Stark Community Foundation, which hosted Wednesday's event. Other participating agencies included Stark County Thrive, CareSource and the Aultman Birth Center.

"My faith in humanity was somewhat restored when we saw a drive in donors during the pandemic when a lot of moms didn't go right back to work," Foster said. "We also saw an uptick during the formula shortage. Ohio moms are the best."

For more information on donating or to arrange a screening, email: milkbank@ohiohealth.com or call 614-566-0630.

To learn more about WIC's programs, call 330-489-3326 or visit www.cantonhealth.org.

Reach Charita at 330-580-8313 or charita.goshay@cantonrep.com

On Twitter: @cgoshayREP

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Canton Health Department/WIC opens OhioHealth Milk Bank site