here are some answers to Catherines and Andreas questions this morning.

1. The donor milk we collect is sent only to hospitals and is provided for 
the baby either as part of the per diem charges or reimbursed as a "carve 
out" on insurance. Parents are not asked to pay for this under any 
circumstances since it is a critical part of their sick baby's care.
2. Again, Prolacta doesn't sell to the public.  Our milk bank and Prolacta 
refers all callers wanting to purchase donor milk for use at home to the 
HMBANA milk bank nearest to them.
3. We are very open with our donors and they are aware that we send our 
milk for processing to Prolacta and that Prolacta is a for profit company. 
We also explain that the way that Prolacta processes and tests the milk 
makes it possible for preterm babies to have a predictable amount of 
calories, protein, fat and carbs. The main concern we hear from donors is 
that they want to be assured that all of the milk they donate will end up 
being given to critically ill babies. Many of our donors have had preemies 
in the past and understand the value of donor milk and human milk 
fortifier made from real human milk. 
4. We wouldn't want that either.! We're finding that there's a much 
greater pool of willing donors if they are able to donate in a way that is 
convenient and local. 
5. We agree abd that's why we are totally upfront with our donors on all 
aspects of how their milk is processed and where it goes after processing.
6. So far all our donors are established at breastfeeding, but we know 
that there are women who never establish breastfeeding because they don't 
have any help. We want to provide that help and support and we want to 
encourage mothers to breastfeed longer. Mothers who decide to donate must 
provide a letter from theri baby's doctor saying that they can donate and 
it will not adversely affect the baby. The baby must also be under the 
care of a pediatrician. We placed a small ad in a local parenting 
newspaper and got a very good response. Our donors sincerely want to help 
a baby who doesn't have access to breastmilk or needs fortifier to augment 
his/her own mom's milk.
5. You're risht, we are not conducting any research at all, but I will 
look into the document you referenced just to be sure. We would never want 
to pressure a woman into donating and certainly would not put anyone under 
duress. The moms who are donors are happy, healthy breastfeeding moms who 
have excess milk to share.
6. You ar3 welcome! These are all good questions and I appreciate the 
chance to clear up any misunderstandings.

To Andreas question, Yes, mothers are told that we send milk to Prolacta 
for processing and that once it is tested, formulated, pasteurized and 
filled into little 10ml oral syringes, it is sold to hospitals for use 
with preemies. They just want to know that it's going only to preemies and 
other sick babies.

Thank you for the opportunity to share
Stacy Brown
Two Maids a Milking

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