Salt Lake clinic opens human-milk donation bank

The first breast milk donation site opened in Utah Wednesday that will give women a chance to help premature babies all across the country.

University of Utah Healthcare opened Utah's first Mothers' Milk donation site at the Redwood Health Center in South Salt Lake City where women can drop off their frozen breast milk.


A growing number of doctors say breast milk is the best food for a baby.

"It can be easy for the babies to digest and provide them with optimal nutrition," said Christie Porucznik with the Salt Lake Mother's Milk Donation.

But for babies who can't get their mother's milk or are born premature, donated milk is their lifeline. Local health leaders say its in high demand, but there's little to go around.

Donors are prescreened through Mother's Milk Bank in Denver. They will receive a blood test kit, then have their blood drawn at the University of Utah clinic. From there, the milk will be stored and shipped back to Denver, who then distributes it to hospitals across the country.

Amanda Esko is the facility's first donor. The special education teacher breast feeds her 9-month-old daughter, Grace. For months, she has been storing her extra milk in a freezer.

"I take care of children all day as a teacher and this is just one more way to do that," says Esko.

Buyers must have a doctor's prescription to purchase the milk. Cost is $3 to $4 an ounce and may be covered by insurance.