Milk Depot

Milk Depot

Breastfeeding/chestfeeding is considered by The American Academy of Pediatrics as the optimal source of nutrition for babies.  Infants who are breastfed/chestfed receive many health benefits including a lowered risk of developing respiratory tract infections, diarrhea and viral infections such as meningitis. Human milk contains substances that promote healthy development and growth for babies.

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center wants to ensure that all babies have access to human milk; this includes babies whose mothers may not be able to produce milk on their own.

We recognize the importance of providing all moms the opportunity to breastfeed/chestfeed their babies and are proud to be the first site in Queens, New York to offer a Milk Depot where lactating mothers who are approved donors can donate extra milk.

What Is A Milk Depot?

Donated milk is dropped off at designated sites known as milk depots where specially trained staff sends the milk to processing centers known as milk banks to become pasteurized. In the New York area, the New York Milk Bank receives, processes and ships breastmilk to local hospitals.

The American Academy of Pediatrics highly recommends pasteurized human milk for premature babies because it is crucial for their health and helps to build up their immune systems.

Where Does Donated Milk Come From?

Milk is donated by lactating mothers who have gone through a rigorous screening process to become approved donors. Any mother can opt to donate milk if they have extra milk. While Jamaica Hospital does not do the screening, we encourage mothers to learn more about donating milk go to http://www.nymilkbank.org/.
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I’m An Approved Donor. Where Can I Drop Off The Milk?

The WIC office at Jamaica Hospital will take donated milk during normal business hours, from 9AM-5PM.