Olmsted County Public Health Services launches donor milk program

  • News
  • Oct 30, 2023
Cooler with bottles of pasteurized donor human milk

Olmsted County Public Health Services (OCPHS) has launched a new program to provide free pasteurized donor human milk (PDHM) to breastfeeding and chestfeeding families in need.  

The program is funded by the Minnesota Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP) and the Minnesota Milk Bank for Babies. It aims to support families and reduce health disparities in Olmsted County.   

OCPHS’s PDHM bridge bag program provides free donor milk to Olmsted County families participating in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and Healthy Children and Families (HCF) programs.  

The PDHM bridge bag program provides a free and safe option for parents who want to exclusively provide breast milk for their babies. OCPHS offers PDHM to parents and infants on a temporary basis while families work to increase their own milk supply. 

“Establishing our PDHM bridge bag program allows us to further our mission to deliver high-quality services to our clients and meet the needs of our community,” said HCF Manager Kristina Collins. “We are committed to the health of Olmsted County residents, and this innovative program demonstrates this dedication.” 

“We are excited OCPHS can provide donor-provided breast milk to those families seeking the nutrition of breast milk for their babies,” said WIC Manager Wendy O’Leary.  

The PDHM bridge bag program also offers education and support by connecting families with peer counselors, Certified Lactation Counselors, and International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants. 

To learn more about pasteurized donor human milk (PDHM), contact Olmsted County Public Health Services (OCPHS) as follows:  

  • If you are a Healthy Children and Families (HCF) program client:  
    • Talk to your public health nurse. 
    • Call 507-328-7570. 
  • If you are a Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program client:  
    • Call 507-328-7555.