New parents who would like to feed their newborns exclusively with breast milk but are unable to without supplementation have a new option at Southern Maine Health Care (SMHC) in Biddeford. SMHC now offers pasteurized breast milk from Mothers’ Milk Bank Northeast to patients meeting certain criteria.

“We are thrilled to be able offer this new service to patients at The Birthing Suite at SMHC,” said birthing suite nurse manager Amy Desmond. “We know that breast milk provides many health benefits to babies, but for a variety of reasons, it’s not always possible for new parents to breastfeed exclusively. Donor breast milk can fill that gap.”

To receive donor breast milk in the hospital, new parents must want to exclusively feed their babies breast milk. In addition, parents must have inadequate milk supply, be taking medications that are contraindicated for breastfeeding or be separated from their baby. Donor breast milk is also available to babies who meet medical criteria for breast milk supplementation.

The benefit is only available while babies are patients at SMHC. Parents can create an account with Mothers’ Milk Bank Northeast if they would like to continue to purchase donor breast milk after leaving the hospital.

SMHC’s Birthing Suite is fully staffed with in-house Board-certified OB/GYN and pediatric physicians to serve the needs of families in York and Cumberland counties 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Other MaineHealth hospitals that offer donor breast milk through Mothers’ Milk Bank Northeast include Maine Medical Center, LincolnHealth Miles Memorial Hospital, Pen Bay Medical Center and Waldo County General Hospital.