Colorado partners with Mothers’ Milk Bank to help address national baby formula shortage
DENVER, Colo. (KRDO) -- Tuesday, Governor Jared Polis announced the state was partnering with Mothers Milk Bank (MMB) to help address the national baby formula shortage.
According to the state, MMB is calling for donations of breast milk or financial donations that would help families with the cost of supply.
MMB, a nonprofit based in Arvada, is part of the Rocky Mountain Children's Foundation. According to the state, MMB has collected, processed, and distributed donor human milk to babies throughout the country for the last 40 years.
“Every ounce counts. The more donated milk we can get in the door now, the more we’ll be able to support families for the weeks and months to come,” said Rebecca Heinrich, Director of Mothers’ Milk Bank, in a statement. “We are thrilled to partner with Colorado on this important effort to support families.”
The state encourages parents to speak with their medical provider about this option and to follow these safety guidelines:
- Never dilute formula.
- Diluting infant formula with water or other liquids can be dangerous and even life-threatening for babies, leading to a serious nutritional deficit and health issues.
- Avoid homemade formula.
- Homemade formulas often lack or have inadequate amounts of critical nutrients. For example, babies fed homemade infant formula have been hospitalized due to hypocalcemia (low calcium).
- Use of substitute formulas is OK.
- For most babies, if their regular brand of formula is not currently available, it is OK to substitute with a similar version. If families have questions about which formula is acceptable, or if they are still having difficulty finding formula, they should contact their child’s pediatric provider or WIC clinic.
More safety information can also be found here.
For information on how to donate or purchase milk, click here. For organizations interested in donating in an alternative method, please contact giving@rmchildren.org.
