Our Mission

Advancing health and wellness with safe donor milk, supporting babies and families every day.

Our Vision

A world where human milk is accessible to all from the very beginning, ensuring every baby can thrive.

California’s Milk Bank Since 1974

A legacy of helping babies thrive—across California and beyond

Since 1974, Mothers’ Milk Bank California has been a trusted leader in human milk banking—serving as California’s original milk bank and one of the oldest nonprofit milk banks in North America.

For over five decades, we have supported the health of the most vulnerable babies by collecting, screening, processing, and distributing safe, pasteurized donor human milk. Today, we serve over 60% of California’s neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and support babies and families across California and multiple states nationwide.

Trusted, regulated, and held to the highest standards

Mothers’ Milk Bank California helped shape modern milk banking as a founding member of the Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA).

We are also:

  • Registered with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
  • Licensed by the State of California
  • Working in close partnership with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH)

Every ounce of milk is carefully screened, pasteurized, tested, and tracked to ensure the highest levels of safety, quality, and reliability for the babies and families we serve.

50+ years of impact—and growing

  • 18+ million ounces of donor milk distributed
  • 27,000+ donors who have given the gift of life

Trusted by hospitals, clinicians, and families for over five decades

Human milk is more than nutrition—it is medicine. It helps protect against infection, supports development, and gives babies the strongest possible start in life.

Yet access is not always guaranteed. Premature birth, medical complications, loss of a parent, surrogacy, adoption, and other circumstances can create urgent need.

We exist to ensure that no baby goes without donor human milk when it is needed most.

Who We Serve

We provide safe, pasteurized donor human milk to babies, families, and healthcare providers across California and the United States.

Babies who:

  • Are premature or low birth weight
  • Are medically fragile or formula intolerant
  • Are adopted, in foster care, or born via surrogacy
  • Have immunological or post-surgical needs
  • Are born to gender-diverse parents

Families who:

  • Are navigating low or interrupted milk supply
  • Are experiencing illness or medical complications
  • Are coping with the loss of a parent
  • Need safe, trusted feeding support

We recognize that every family’s journey is different. That’s why we provide flexible, compassionate options to support both clinical needs and emotional well-being.

Advancing the future of milk banking

Our work extends beyond milk distribution. Mothers’ Milk Bank California partners with hospitals, researchers, and communities to:

  • Expand access to donor human milk
  • Support NICUs and breastfeeding initiatives
  • Advance research and clinical best practices
  • Raise awareness and build a strong donor community

Together, we are shaping a future where donor human milk is accessible, trusted, and recognized as essential care for every baby who needs it.