A Milk Depot in Downeast Maine
When Every Baby Receives Human Milk Maine will be a Healthier Maine.
This excellent and far-reaching endeavor requires support for families in many situations. We have made important progress. For example, as of 2022, MaineCare will cover the cost of Donor Breast Milk for babies less than 12 months if they meet qualifications. In June 2023 Governor Mills also signed into law a bill requiring private insurance to cover pasteurized donor human milk. We breastfeeding advocates are pleased that the value of Human Milk has been recognized in this way.
Babies need Donor Human Milk for many reasons. That is why we need more Human Milk Donors to contribute to the Human Milk Banks network. Having a local milk depot to drop off donated milk makes this process easier.
This February 28th, a Milk Depot is opening in Ellsworth at Anchored Women’s Health. Founded by Kristen Hayward, CNM, DNP and Robin Snyder-Drummond, IBCLC, this Milk Depot will be a local point for donors in the Downeast area. “Our goal is to increase awareness of and access to donor milk in Maine.” said Robin Snyder-Drummond, IBCLC lactation consultant who provides office visits at Anchored Women’s Health. Kristen Hayward agreed “Robin came to me with the idea for the milk depot and I was immediately on board. One of the many reasons I am in private practice is so I can make a bigger impact in the community.”
Anchored Women’s Health is the private practice of Kristen Hayward, CNM, DNP and provides well-woman care for all ages. Robin provides office visits for lactation consultations. At the Milk Depot, Kristen and Robin will document the milk donation, package it securely (always frozen) and ship it to Mother’s Milk Bank Northeast in Massachusetts to be processed.
The public is invited to our three Open House Wednesday afternoons.
See the office, learn more about Human Milk, get answers to your questions.
Our Open Houses will be on
Wednesdays 1:00 - 3:30 pm. February 28, March 6, March 13.
To become a Human Milk Donor, contact Mothers Milk Bank Northeast.
Milk Donors who have been screened can contact Robin to schedule a time for drop off on Wednesdays. 617-435-0693
Providing a Milk Depot in Ellsworth widens the network of milk bank options. In this way, we are glad to contribute to this vision of a healthier Maine where every baby can receive Human Milk.