HMRNM News:
ALBUQUERQUE — The Human Milk Repository of New Mexico (HMRNM)—the state’s first and only Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA) accredited mother’s milk bank—celebrates National Breastfeeding Month!
Breastfeeding is not always easy, and the HMRNM is still seeking donors to provide breast milk to infants in need across the state. While the immediate urgent need due to the formula shortage is subsiding, the need for donor milk is still very high.
“We are working closely with our hospital partners – Presbyterian, Lovelace and the University of New Mexico Hospital – to provide high-quality breast milk to infants who are medically fragile, experiencing sickness, or born preterm,” Kael Marshall said, HMRNM Executive Director. “During the formula crisis, we were able to drop our prices to below our production costs and were able to provide over 30,000 ‘meals’ to newborns in less than eight months.”
HMRNM was one of the few milk banks in the nation able to keep its outpatient operations open during the formula crisis, at times providing milk to infants in renal failure at zero cost.
“The milk bank is still in need of donors,” Marshall said. “Breastfeeding isn’t always easy. It takes a community. We are incredibly grateful for all the moms willing to help other moms and their infants. And, a huge thank you to the hospitals and their staff that make this possible.”
Utilizing evidence-based techniques and operating in accordance with HMBANA guidelines, the Human Milk Repository of New Mexico tests all donors prior to approval. Once approved, donors can make a donation appointment at facilities in Albuquerque or Las Cruces. Milk is processed per clinical guidelines and FDA regulations, then shipped to or picked up by recipient families.
To learn about becoming a donor or for more information, visit https://mothersmilkbanknm.org.
About HMRNM
The Human Milk Repository of New Mexico (HMRNM) provides human milk to preterm, medically fragile, and sick infants using evidence-based techniques to process and distribute human milk in accordance with the Human Milk Bank Association of America (HMBANA) guidelines. HMRNM works to advocate for breastfeeding in the community along with support for ongoing human lactation in an equitable and ethical manner to provide the highest quality of human donor milk within the community.
