OhioHealth Mothers’ Milk Bank to Open Milk Drop Site at Delaware Public Health District

OhioHealth Mothers' Milk Bank to Open Milk Drop Site at Delaware Public Health District

Key Takeaways:

• OhioHealth Mothers' Milk Bank opened a new milk drop site at the Delaware Public Health District.
• The location gives approved donors in Delaware County a convenient place to donate human milk at no cost.
• The new site brings the total number of OhioHealth milk drop locations across Ohio to 36.
• Donated milk is screened, pasteurized and distributed by prescription to babies in need throughout North America.
• In 2026, the milk bank distributed nearly 491,289 ounces, or 3,838 gallons, of donor milk.

The OhioHealth Mothers' Milk Bank is celebrating the grand opening of a new milk drop location at Delaware Public Health District on October 15, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. The new milk drop site, located at 470 South Sandusky Street, will house a freezer to store donated human milk, which will then be transferred to the milk bank in Columbus at no cost to the donor.

The OhioHealth Mothers' Milk Bank, under the guidelines of the Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA), provides pasteurized human milk to those infants whose mothers are unable to provide milk to nourish their babies. It is one of just 28 milk banks in North America - 25 in the United States and three in Canada.

"We are thrilled to be opening this new milk drop to make donating even easier," said Denise Chears, Milk Bank Clinical Nurse at the OhioHealth Mothers Milk Bank. "With this new milk drop, approved donors in and around Delaware can conveniently donate their milk. Pasteurized donor milk is liquid gold for babies who need it. In 2026, we distributed nearly 491,289 ounces of milk all over the country - that's 3,838 gallons! Just one ounce can feed a premature infant for three days, so every little bit helps."

OhioHealth Mothers' Milk Bank has opened several new milk drops, bringing a total of 36 milk drops in Ohio. The donated milk is distributed throughout North America to babies in need.

"We are thrilled to offer this service to families in our community. Human milk plays an important role in giving infants the healthiest possible start in life. Supporting mothers and ensuring infants have the best start is a priority for the Health District, and we are proud to partner in expanding access to donor milk drop locations for families throughout Delaware County." Lauren Robinson, breastfeeding coordinator for Delaware Public Health District, said.

The milk bank, which is located in the OhioHealth Eastside Health Center in Columbus, relies on donations from healthy, lactating women who generously provide milk to help other babies. Interested donors are encouraged to visit the website at Mothers' Milk Bank Donation in Ohio | OhioHealth and complete the donation form to start the process. To become a human milk donor, mothers must take part in a screening process to ensure the quality and safety of the milk. This process includes a phone screening to verify eligibility, completion of a medical and lifestyle history review, a signed medical release from the donor and physician and consent to receive a blood test to screen for HIV, HTLV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and syphilis. The donated milk is pasteurized, frozen, and distributed by physician prescription.

Benefits of Breast Milk

Infants benefit greatly from human milk, especially those who are premature, ill, or have life-threatening conditions. Human milk is the ultimate source of nutrients and immune protection for infants. Babies benefit from the active growth hormones, developmental enzymes, infection fighting and immunological factors found in human milk.

Research shows that human milk helps pre-term infants:

• Reach full feeds sooner and need fewer IVs
• Mature their intestines faster
• Spend fewer days in the hospital
• Reduce risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (a potentially fatal bowel infection)
• Reduce risk of sepsis (blood infection) and fewer infections
• Experience long-term IQ advantages over formula-fed infants
• Be healthier as older children and adults

More information about the OhioHealth Mothers' Milk Bank, including a video, may be found at https://www.ohiohealth.com/locations/womens-health/mothers-milk-bank/

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