May 2025 Milk Drive

The San Diego Breastfeeding Center, in collaboration with UC Health Milk Bank, is thrilled to announce their first ever Milk Drive on May 3, 2025 at the San Diego Breastfeeding Center. We hope you will join us!

What is a Milk Drive? 

When babies are born prematurely, breast milk is vital for improved growth and health  outcomes. A Milk Drive ensures donor milk is accessible to fragile infants whose mothers may not be yet producing milk or may not be able to produce enough. It is an opportunity to educate communities about milk banking, build connections with staff and other milk donors, and support the ‘Pump It Forward’ campaign. In partnership with UC Health Milk Bank, there will be a blood screening station for preapproved donors and a milk collection station for all donors who have registered on the portal. It will be a family-friendly event that will offer free goodies, fun activities for children, and giveaways for the whole family. All are welcome!

Donor FAQs 

1. Can I bring milk to donate to the Milk Drive?  

Yes, if you are an approved or pending approval donor, please bring your milk. All approved and pending donors will receive detailed information on how to bring transport their milk and will have been screened.  

2.What do I need to do prior to the event?  

Sign up on the portal at ucmilkbank.ucsd.edu and click the yellow "Donate milk" button to start the process. Donors will receive all information regarding their donation and how to prepare prior to the event. 

3. Is there a minimum or maximum amount of milk I can donate at the Milk Drive? 

Our donors will be educated via the portal beforehand, but in case you are asked, there is 100 ounce minimum for first time donors and not minimum or maximum donation amount for already approved donors with a subsequent donation. 

4.What if I want to donate milk, but I can't attend the Milk Drive?  

Donors can reach out to the donor coordinators via the portal and we will set up a day/time for a milk drop off at the milk bank (3636 Gateway Center Dr.) 

5. Do I need to RSVP?

Yes, please! RSVP: https://forms.office.com/r/CvfbTZi5uj 

Any questions, please reach out via our email address: ucmilkbank@heatlh.ucsd.edu or phone: 858-249-MILK (6455)

General Donor Questions 

1.Where does the milk go? 

Your milk will be pasteurized, tested, and sent to fragile NICU babies and other babies in need. 

2.Who does the milk help? 

The milk helps the most vulnerable babies especially very low birth weight, premature, and ill infants. 

3.What if I am taking medications? 

Most medications you take are safe with donation however please reach out to your donor coordinator with specific questions. 

4.What if I live outside of San Diego? 

No problem! We send you a lab requisition form to have your labs drawn at a location near you and then will provide you with shipping material and arrange for FedEx to pick up the milk from your home. 

5.Why do I need a blood test? 

To ensure the safety of the milk. We test for infectious diseases that can be passed to the baby through the milk. 

6.What if my milk doesn’t have enough calories? 

This is very unlikely but even if your milk is low in calories our milk techs can mix the milk with higher-calorie milk so it will be sufficient for NICU babies. Every drop counts. 

7.What milk do you accept? 

We can accept milk that has been expressed up to your baby’s 2nd birthday. 

8.How long can the milk be in my freezer? 

Your milk can be frozen for up to 8 months.

SDBFC is committed to providing high-quality lactation and functional nutrition consultations to parents in San Diego and beyond. Explore our postpartum, prenatal, and functional nutrition consultations, take a breastfeeding class or attend a workshop.