Donor Milk 101 with The Milk Bank

Feeding babies is one of those topics that carries a lot of weight, opinions, pressure and emotion. And when things don’t go exactly as planned — when a baby arrives early, recovery takes longer than expected, milk supply doesn’t cooperate, or exhaustion sets in— decisions have to be made quickly, often in the middle of a really tender moment.

That’s where donor milk enters the conversation. The Milk Bank joins us today to discuss what donor milk is, how it is donated and used, and ways we can all support families navigating an unexpected feeding plan. My guest today is Lindsay McGuire, Assistant Director of Advancement and Brand Outreach at The Milk Bank

Specifically this episode highlights:

• The work of the Milk Bank located here in Indianapolis

• The ways families can use donor milk

• Walk through the journey from milk donor to milk depot

• Misconceptions about donor milk

• Ways to support mothers and families

Episode Timestamps

[1:06] - Topic Intro - What is donor milk?

[3:00] - Guest Interview with Lindsay McGuire, Assistant Director of Advancement and Branding Outreach at the Milk Bank

[42:19] - Final Thoughts

MENTIONED LINKS & RESOURCES

Learn more about The Milk Bank

https://www.themilkbank.org/

Connect with Lindsay on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsayladeroute/

Learn about Hancock Health’s role as a Milk Bank Express Site

https://www.hancockhealth.org/2025/04/hancock-health-is-now-a-milk-bank-milk-express-site/

Learn about Hancock Health’s Maternity Care

https://www.hancockhealth.org/healthcare-service/maternity/

Learn about Hancock Health’s Neonatal Care

https://www.hancockhealth.org/healthcare-service/neonatal/

Mayo Clinic Care Network Health Information Library Resource - Breast Milk Storage: Do’s and Don’ts

https://www.hancockhealth.org/mayo-health-library/breast-milk-storage-dos-and-donts/

Just Jenn - Season 02 Episode 17 - Your Algorithm Thinks You Need Fixing

https://thisisjustjenn.substack.com/p/your-algorithm-thinks-you-need-fixing

Just Jenn - Season 01 - Episode 05 - Advocating for Yourself 101

https://thisisjustjenn.substack.com/p/advocating-for-yourself-101

Hancock Health - Women’s Health Built for the Whole You

https://www.hancockhealth.org/just-jenn/