“The milk dispensary is a great option as a short-term bridge while families work to determine the best long-term feeding plan. Most often, a mom is working to build her milk supply and is able to use the donor milk from the dispensary while she consults her lactation team,” says Susan Urbanski, program manager at Mothers’ Milk Bank WGL.

The milk offered is safe, pasteurized breast milk collected from healthy, lactating women in Illinois and Wisconsin. Each donor undergoes a thorough screening process, including clearance by a physician. The milk is also tested multiple times before distribution.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), children who are breastfed experience improved dental health and neurodevelopmental outcomes. They also have decreased risk of diarrhea, respiratory tract infection, SIDS, asthma, Celiac disease, Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, being overweight and obesity.

There are also maternal health benefits to breastfeeding such as decreased risk of excessive menstrual blood loss, breast, ovarian, endometrial and thyroid cancers, hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Kelsie Schlueter, a registered nurse and lactation consultant at OSF Saint Francis, says this milk dispensary will help many local families.

“Having the option of donor milk helps many families meet their breast milk feeding goals. Many moms struggle initially to establish a good breastfeeding relationship, and it can take time for mom and baby to both learn this new skill,” Schlueter says. “Having good lactation support is critical for these families, and outpatient donor milk is an important piece of that puzzle when supplementation is needed.”

In addition to an in-house breastmilk dispensary at the hospital located in OB triage, families can pick up from the Breastfeeding Resource Center at 5114 North Glen Park Place, Ste. 1143, in Peoria, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.