1. Where does the milk go?
   Your milk will be pasteurized, tested, and sent to fragile NICU babies and other babies in need in our region.
2. Who does the milk help?
   The milk helps the most vulnerable babies, especially very low birth weight, premature, and ill infants.
3. What if I am taking medications?
   Most medications you take are safe with donation, however, please reach out to your donor coordinator with specific questions.
4. What if I live outside of San Diego?
   No problem! We will send you a lab requisition form to have your labs drawn at a Quest lab near you. We will then will provide you with shipping materials and arrange for FedEx to pick up the milk from your home.
5. Why do I need a blood test?
   To ensure the safety of the milk. We test for infectious diseases that can be passed to the baby through the milk.
6. What milk do you accept?
   We can accept milk that has been expressed up to your baby’s 2nd birthday.
7. How long can the milk be in my freezer?
   Your milk can be frozen for up to 8 months.

Forms

• Maternal Provider Form

1. How do I place an order for pick up?
   Go to ucmilkbankstore.com. Review the consent form and submit an inquiry form. Once completed, click to order. Increase your order quantity to the number of bottles desired. The order minimum is 6 x 200mL (40 oz.). At checkout, select the preferred pickup date and time. Pickups are scheduled M-F, 12p-3p. Same-day orders must be submitted by 11 a.m.
2. Do I need to schedule an order pickup/do I need to reschedule if I cannot make my appointment?
   Yes, you must schedule an order pickup to ensure you milk is ready when you arrive. Pickups are scheduled from 12p-3p Monday through Friday. If you need to reschedule, please call or text (858) 899-4955. 
3. How do I place an order for shipping?
   If you live outside San Diego, we are happy to ship the milk to your home. Review the consent form and submit an inquiry form. Once completed, click to order. Increase your order quantity to the number of bottles desired. The order minimum is 15 x 200mL (100 oz.). At checkout, select "ship" and include an accurate shipping address. Milk is shipped overnight priority on dry ice. We ship Monday through Thursday. Same-day orders must be submitted by 11 a.m.
4. How much does donor milk cost?
   As a non-profit milk bank, all of our revenue is invested back into developing the milk bank and to offset expenses such as donor screening and blood testing, milk pasteurization, equipment, and facilities. UC Health Milk Bank donor milk is $4.80/ounce. 
5. Why does donated milk cost money?
   Processing donor milk requires staff, facilities, utilities, supplies, blood testing, lab testing, milk pasteurization, and lots and lots of equipment to ensure the safety and high quality of the milk. As a non-profit organization, we do not keep revenue to redistribute to shareholders or invest elsewhere. We only use revenue to progress our mission – and we have big goals to increase donor milk accessibility! 
6. How soon before we need donor milk should I order?
   If purchasing donor milk before birth, we recommend placing your order 1-2 weeks before the baby's due date. Same-day orders must be in by 11 a.m.
7. Is there an order minimum?
   Yes. The order minimum for local pickups is 6 x 200mL outpatient bottles (40 oz.). The order minimum for out-of-area shipments is 15 x 200mL bottles (100 oz.).
8. Is there an order maximum?
   When inventory is low we will implement an order maximum to ensure we can service all NICUs and as many outpatient families as possible. 
9. Is there a maximum baby age you service?
   To ensure we can meet the demand of NICUs, newborns, and babies with a medical necessity for donor milk, we adjust the age the baby can receive milk.

1. Is donor milk safe?
   Pasteurized donor milk from an HMBANA-accredited milk bank is safe. There has never been a case of a child becoming ill from donor milk pasteurized from an accredited milk bank. Our pasteurized donor milk is processed at a level of quality and safety that is appropriate for NICU use. This includes extensive screening of donor mothers, pasteurization, and various quality checks.
2. Is donor milk frozen? How do I thaw donor milk? How long is it good for once thawed?
   The donor milk is frozen and should be kept frozen until you need to use it.
   
   A few ways to thaw donor milk when you are ready to feed are:
   - Overnight in the refrigerator (12 hours)
   - On the counter (takes a few hours)
   - In a warm water bath (1 hour)
   - In a bottle warmer (varies)
   - Don't use the microwave (due to hot spots in the milk)
   
   Once thawed, milk can:
   - Stay at room temp for 4 hours
   - Stay cold in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours
   - Be used within 48 hours
3. Do you accept returns if we ordered too much donor milk, or if my baby rejects the product?
   For quality and safety purposes, we cannot accept donor milk back into the facility once it has been dispensed. If a baby rejects the milk and the milk product is safe, we cannot issue a refund.
4. Is a prescription required?
   No. The Human Milk Banking Association of North America no longer requires a prescription for donor milk purchases.
5. Do you have dairy-free/diet-specific milk?
   No, we do not create donor milk products specific to maternal diet.
6. What are the macronutrients of the donor milk?
   Our outpatient donor milk has a similar macronutrient profile as human milk produced by the mother 6 weeks post-partum. If a baby was born low weight or is struggling to gain weight, we can provide a NICU-grade product. 
7. Is any nutrition lost in the pasteurization process? Do I need to supplement with vitamins?
   The majority of biological components are intact post-pasteurization. Pasteurized donor milk has much of the biological and many of the beneficial properties of mother’s milk. Some minerals and vitamins like Vitamin C and Zinc can be low.
   
   If your baby is getting donor milk from a milk bank, they may need extra nutrients by giving them a vitamin and mineral supplement. If your baby consumes mother’s own milk or infant formula, or eating table food, this supplement may not be necessary. Discuss with your provider if your baby needs a supplement and which supplement(s) they recommend.
   
   Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for infants 0-6 months old:
   - Vitamin D: 400 IU/day (10 mcg)
   - Vitamin C: 40 mg/day
   - Zinc: 2 mg/day
   
   Examples of infant products that provide Vitamin D, Vitamin C, and Zinc (not a complete list):
   - Kiddivit Baby Zinc with elderberry, C & D
   - Wellements Baby Immune Support & Vitamins
   - Zarabee's Immune Support & Vitamins

What is considered a medical necessity for donor milk?

Examples of donor milk medical necessity include a history of surgical NEC, small gut syndrome, congenital heart disease, diagnosed failure to thrive, or in some cases extreme formula intolerance.

Is donor milk covered by insurance? If so, what is the process?

If your baby has a medical need for donor milk, insurance may cover the cost of donor milk. Please call your insurance to inquire regarding your plan’s donor milk coverage/policies.

If the insurer says they will cover the donor milk, you will need:

1. A letter of medical necessity from the referring provider (baby's pediatrician) including their NPI number.
2. Prior authorization from your insurance emailed to ucmilkbankorders@health.ucsd.edu, or faxed to 858-732-0870. Authorization needs to include the diagnosis code and specified quantity or length of service.
3. A contact from Contracting at your insurance company so we can quickly get a single-family contract signed

If you have questions, please reach out to us at ucmilkbankorders@health.ucsd.edu.