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Milk bank

Welcome to Southampton milk bank

Southampton milk bank is based in the Princess Anne Hospital and run by staff from the neonatal unit. We run a service which collects breast milk donated by screened lactating parents (donors). 

The Southampton milk bank supplies donor breastmilk not only to University Hospital Southampton (UHS), but to multiple hospitals and trusts in the south of England. Donor breastmilk is used as a safe alternative to formula milk when birthing people are unable to produce enough breast milk, or when a parent/birthing person has a medical issue that limits breast feeding. Donor breast milk can be used in both term and preterm babies. The milk bank pasteurises the donated milk (to ensure safety), stores it, and delivers it to neonatal units. The delivery and collection of milk is supported by the charity SERV.  

What is donor breast milk and why is it needed?

Donor breast milk is surplus milk generously shared by birthing parents who have more milk than their own babies need. All donated milk is carefully screened and pasteurised to ensure it is safe.

It is then provided to babies in hospital who, for various reasons, cannot receive milk from their own parent. It may also be used as a safe alternative to formula for babies born very early.

Donor milk provides vital nutrition and comfort, helping these vulnerable infants grow and thrive during their hospital stay.

Why donor breast milk is important: 

  • Protects against serious illness - especially necrotising enterocolitis (NEC), a life-threatening gut condition more common in premature babies. 
  • Easier to digest - donor milk is easier on fragile digestive systems than formula. 
  • Supports immunity - breast milk contains antibodies and protective factors not found in formula. 
  • Bridges the gap - it can be used short-term until a parent’s own milk supply is established or recovered.