Grass Family Foundation – Donor Milk Program

Premature infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at two Piedmont hospitals will have increased access to breast milk products, thanks to a $300,000 donation from the Grass Family Foundation.

The donor milk programs at Piedmont Atlanta and Piedmont Fayette hospitals ensure that donated breast milk is available to NICU babies if their mother is unable to produce her own milk. Research shows that when compared to formula-fed preemies, premature infants who are fed breast milk have a lower mortality rate, a shorter length of stay in the hospital and often have improved neurologic and developmental outcomes.

"By providing donor milk containing a precise amount of calories and protein to our NICU babies, we are helping to ensure appropriate growth," Scott Johnson, M.D., director of neonatal services at Piedmont Atlanta, said. "The donation process is easy and convenient. Moms can donate without leaving their homes and the family doesn't incur any out-of-pocket expenses."

The Grass Family Foundation grant will be used to formulate and pasteurize donor milk using rigorous safety and quality testing procedures. The milk supply program is run in partnership with Prolacta Bioscience to maintain a safe, standardized and steady supply of pasteurized donor breast milk.

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