About Us
Mission
Mothers' Milk Bank of Tennessee is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit milk bank dedicated to providing safe, pasteurized donor human milk to the most vulnerable babies.
Milestones
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Founded in 2014
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14 milk depots (drop-off locations) across Tennessee
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Over 500,000 ounces of donor milk collected since 2014
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Opened pasteurization facility in Murfreesboro, Tennessee in November 2021
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In 2021, certified as Member Milk Bank #31 with Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA)
Who We Serve
Pasteurized Human Donor Milk (PHDM) is prioritized for the smallest and most medically fragile babies, for whom research shows the most positive benefits from human milk. At this time, Mothers' Milk Bank of Tennessee (MMBTN) distributes PDHM exclusively to hospital neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).
The Need for Donor Milk
Natural, safe pasteurized human milk is needed because human milk has been shown to decrease the incidence of life-threatening newborn infections.
Standards
We are a member of and follow the guidelines mandated by the Human Milk Banking Association of North America.
Step 1
Prospective donors complete an application, medical screening, blood test and obtain physician's consent.
MMBTN's milk donors are volunteers who produce milk in excess of their own babies’ needs.
Step 2
After approval, donors deliver their milk frozen to one of MMBTN's 14 Milk Drop Depots located throughout Tennessee. Milk Drop Depots are strategic partners who provide a convenient place for approved donor mothers to drop off their donations.
Step 3
Donor milk is then transferred to Mothers' Milk Bank of Tennessee's facility in Murfreesboro. MMBTN filters, mixes, bottles, pasteurizes and cultures donated breastmilk from approved donors.
Step 4
Once the processing is complete, the Pasteurized Human Donor Milk (PHDM) is bottled and distributed to NICUs across Tennessee. PHDM is prioritized for the smallest and most medically fragile babies.
