Member milk banks follow strict screening, processing, and dispensing guidelines that were developed by HMBANA in consultation with the Centers for Disease Control and US Food and Drug Administration. Member milk banks also follow the regulations set forth by their state departments of health. HMBANA updates these guidelines as needed and regularly assesses member milk banks for compliance.
Scrubbing
Each pasteurization team member thoroughly scrubs her or his hands with antimicrobial soap before putting on gloves. Gloves are always used.
Pouring
Donor milk is carefully transferred from its original storage container to glass flasks before pasteurization.
Mixing and Pooling
Each pool usually includes human milk from three to five donor mothers. It is thoroughly mixed to ensure an even distribution of nutritional components.
Filling Bottles
Bottle sizes range from 1.5 to 8 ounces and are filled with human milk prior to pasteurization.
Pasteurizing using the Holder Method
All HMBANA donor human milk is pasteurized using the Holder method. This eliminates potentially harmful bacteria while retaining the majority of human milk's beneficial nutrients.
Lab Testing
Human milk samples are taken during the pasteurization process and cultured to check for bacterial growth. Any contaminated human milk is discarded.
Pasteurized Donor Human Milk
After pasteurization, donor human milk is ready for freezing and storage. It can be dispensed after samples are cultured and show no bacteria growth. The donor milk is then shipped frozen to hospitals and outpatient families.
