Overlake Medical Center’s Mom & Baby Care Center opens first donor milk distribution site in the state with Northwest Mothers Milk Bank

Overlake Medical Center & Clinics has partnered with Northwest Mothers Milk Bank (NWMMB) to open a donor milk distribution site at the Overlake campus.

By establishing the milk distribution site, families have access to pasteurized donor milk from a convenient and local pickup location. This eliminates additional fees and delays that were incurred due to shipping from NWMMB’s Portland, OR distribution site.

Mothers and babies who have been discharged from the hospital are able to purchase donor milk from the Overlake Mom & Baby Care Center when the infant has a medical need. This milk is also available to those who are not Overlake patients. “By hosting a donor milk distribution site, Overlake is helping meet the need for safe, pasteurized donor milk in their community,” said Joanne Ransom, clinical director of NWMMB.

In 2014, Overlake opened a mother’s milk depot, where moms can donate their breast milk to infants in need. Donating breast milk can provide life-saving nutrition and immune support for fragile, premature babies. In the U.S., there is a critical shortage of donated human milk.

“It is our priority at the Overlake Mom & Baby Care Center to help breastfeeding families be successful. The distribution site strengthens the comprehensive services we offer families and breastfeeding mothers in our community,” said Sandy Salmon, director of Overlake’s Women’s and Infants’ Services.

At Overlake’s Mom & Baby Care Center, families have access to breastfeeding counseling by board-certified lactation consultants and a boutique that carries a variety of breastfeeding supplies. The Center is also a milk drop site for screened milk donors to drop off their milk for transport to NWMMB.

Families who would like to purchase donor milk should obtain a prescription from their provider, including baby’s name, date of birth, diagnosis code and volume needed, and call the Overlake Mom & Baby Care Center at (425) 688-5389 to assure donor milk is available. Overlake’s Mom & Baby Care Center is open Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and is closed on holidays.

Northwest Mothers Milk Bank is a not-for-profit, community-based milk bank serving hospitals and families in Washington, Oregon, Alaska and Idaho by pasteurizing and providing donor milk to babies with medical need. 

For more information, families may also contact NWMMB at (800) 204-4444 or visit donatemilk.org.