Inside the Milk Bank: Donor Milk, NEC Prevention, and the Myths That Hold Us Back with Dr. Lisa Stellwagen

In this episode, Dr. Lisa Stellwagen shares the journey of establishing a hospital-based milk bank, the science behind donor milk, and the future of infant nutrition and milk banking. Discover how policies, safety standards, and community efforts are transforming neonatal care and supporting vulnerable infants. **Chapters:** - 00:00 Introduction to Milk Banking and Its Importance - 04:07 The Journey to Establishing a Milk Bank - 05:24 The Supporting Premature Infant Nutrition Program - 08:43 The Need for More Milk Banks in California - 11:45 Building a Milk Bank: Challenges and Triumphs - 16:52 Understanding Hambana and Milk Bank Structures - 20:14 Pasteurization Standards and Safety in Milk Banking - 23:58 Fortification of Human Milk and Its Implications - 30:18 The Importance of Accreditation and Safety Standards - 34:39 The Donor Process: Ensuring Safety and Efficiency - 35:33 Processing Milk: From Donation to Quality Control - 37:27 Nutritional Targeting: Tailoring Milk for Tiny Patients - 40:11 Analyzing Milk: Understanding Composition and Quality - 43:23 Raising Awareness: The Importance of Milk Donation - 44:30 Barriers to Access: Challenges in Milk Banking - 46:16 The Role of Nonprofit Milk Banks: A Community Approach - 51:58 The Cost of Donor Milk and NICU Decisions - 57:21 Vision for the Future of Milk Banking - 1:00:21 Honoring Bereaved Donors: The Cherry Blossom Program - 1:04:49 Outro **Resources** Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA) Promoting Human Milk and Breastfeeding for the Very Low Birth Weight Infant: Clinical Report Find a Milk Bank **Guest Links** HMBANA-Dr. Stellwagen UC Health Milk Bank **Connect with Margaret** Email: hello@margaretsalty.com Instagram: @margaretsalty Facebook: Margaret Salty Music by: The Magnifiers – *My Time Traveling Machine*