Tiffany Rancourt writes about milk banking.  While banked milk is valued at
about $3.50/oz US, this is, to some extent, a subsidized cost.  By the time
the donors are tested, the milk pasteurized, and the bacteriologic testing
is done, the actual cost of producing, storing, and shipping a batch of
donor milk is higher than this cost actually reflects.  Most banks are
either part of hospitals that in some way absorb part of the cost, or, as is
the case with non-profit community based banks (like the Mothers Milk Bank
at Austin) we write grants and raise funds to help cover costs.  The milk is
sold to hospital NICUs at the subsidized cost and used to feed prematures.
Even with the costs, there is a savings when the cost of treating
necrotizing enterocolitis is factored in.  Human milk fed infants have lower
rates of NEC.  Each episode of NEC is very expensive to treat -- typically
around $250,000. for a single case. So prevention of NEC makes the cost of
human donor milk a viable alternative when own mother's milk is not
available.

Barbara Wilson-Clay, BS, IBCLC
Austin Lactation Associates
LactNews Press
www.lactnews.com

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