Donating After Loss
First and foremost, we want to offer you our deepest condolences. The loss of a baby is a profound and life-changing experience. We are here to provide you with information on your lactation options. Some mothers find a sense of healing by donating their breast milk. Teardrops and Milk Drops is our donor program for bereaved mothers that offers a simplified path to donating milk after a loss. Becoming a milk donor after the devastating loss of a child is a very personal decision.
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At Mothers' Milk Bank of Tennessee, ALL mothers are at the center of our mission. We know all babies are forever held in our hearts as mothers.
You are a not alone.
Since 2021, over 70 mothers have made the personal decision to become a milk donor after the devastating loss of their baby. We are grateful to each mom for not only sharing their baby's milk with us, but also sharing their story with us.
"I had our daughter on May 12th, 2025. She was born with Renal Agenesis (Potter’s Syndrome). I ended up going into preterm labor at 32 weeks and 4 days. She only weighed 1lbs and 15oz and was 12 inches long, but she lived about 2 hours after birth before her passing. She was too small to be an organ donor, so I thought the best way to honor her would be to donate my milk to other babies in need. The gift of being able to give in our daughter’s honor is such a blessing to our family." - Hannah
Providers
At Mothers' Milk Bank of Tennessee, we believe it is crucial to provide bereaved mothers information about managing their milk production and to support them in the decisions they make about their milk. ​​
Brochures
Click on the images below to download and print a copy or request copies by emailing Amy.Painter@milkbanktn.org. ​​
English
Spanish
Guide
We have created a guide for providers and lactation consultants on How to Talk to Bereaved Mothers about their lactations options after loss. Click on the image to download a copy.
