Breast Milk Initiative MDHHS partnered with Bronson’s Milk Bank of Kalamazoo, MI in 2019. This partnership funds and supports a healthy alternative for infants and mothers who are infected or affected by HIV. Through this partnership, HIV-positive women who choose to provide their infants with donor breast milk, after consultation with their ID or Pediatric provider, and an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) will receive human pasteurized donor milk delivered directly to their home or birthing hospital free of charge. Bronson’s Milk Bank is accredited by the Human Milk Bank Association of North America (HMBANA) and provides donor milk to Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) throughout the state of Michigan. The Breast Milk Program which supports HIV-positive women, and their children has serviced 24 Michigan families to date.
HIV Clinical Nurse, Division Manager, Bureau director , OB Provider, IBLC from partner
Implemented withi OB, ID providers who service pregnant women and infants
At the time of implementation, U=U did not include breastfeeding/chestfeeding persons and the goal was to provide a safer alternative to feeding for HIV Positive persons who wanted to breastfeed.
Please provide specific outcomes if possible, such as # or people served, # or % of reaching XYZ outcome, etc.
total of 24 families serves
High cost
had to adjust eligibility and program requirements twice
1 reduce the number of months an infant is eligible (from 24 to 12 months)
2 Ensure all participants meet Ryan White eligibility criteria
The lack of awarenes about the service initially.
I would recommend allocated funding,
Know the upfront cost. Negotiate shipping cost
Establish criteria of eligibility from the start
Make your partners aware of program so it may be promoted well before implementation