What is the process for donating milk?

To become a Third Strand Donor Mom, simply fill out an online application here. Once your application is submitted, we will review your application. Third Strand reviews the information provided on the application, researching any medications provided, using HalesMeds, a comprehensive listing of all medications and their associated breastfeeding safety. Third Strand may contact you with additional questions, and may request additional information. Once approved, Third Strand will coordinate pick-up or delivery of the milk.

Do you have drop-off locations?

Yes! Third Strand has drop off locations in Canyon, Texas; Lubbock, Texas; Plano, Texas; and, Clovis, New Mexico.

Does Third Strand accept milk donations from other locations?

Yes! Through our partnership with Milkify™, we are able to receive milk donations from anywhere in the United States. Once your application to donate milk is approved, a cooler will be shipped to your home with detailed instructions on how to pack your milk. Then, you simply return the cooler to a FedEx drop off location, and it is delivered directly to Milkify™ to be freeze-dried and shipped to Third Strand. We cover all of the shipping fees!

Does Third Strand ship across the country?

Yes! Third Strand ships anywhere in the United States. We have partnered with Fed Ex, allowing us to ship our coolers directly to your doorstep, with overnight delivery.

Can anyone apply for donor milk from Third Strand?

Third Strand focuses, specifically, on nursing babies who have lost a mother; newborn babies, whose mothers are unable to breastfeed, due to cancer (or other life-threatening illnesses); and, to adopted newborns.

How much milk does Third Strand provide to a family?

Third Strand provides up to 1,300 ounces (approximately 10 gallons) of milk to families. This is the average amount that a nursing baby consumes in two months. Research has shown that nursing babies receive nearly 85% of all the benefits from breast milk within the first 60 days of their lives. Distributing this amount of milk allows Third Strand to provide the greatest impact on the most babies.

Can I bring Third Strand donor milk into the hospital?

That is a great question! Nearly every hospital has a different policy (if they even have a written policy). Third Strand will work with you and your hospital to ensure that your baby receives donor breast milk from the very first feeding!

Does Third Strand ask for anything in return?

Yes. We ask for three things: (1) We ask to share your story. Somewhere, somebody is going through the same thing you are going through. We believe that by sharing your story, others can receive encouragement, inspiration, and hope. (2) Third Strand asks that every family we serve shares our organization with their family and friends. (3) We ask that you encourage your friends and family to donate milk and money to Third Strand so that we can feed the next baby.

What does Third Strand use donated money for?

Donated funds help cover costs associated with collecting, storing, freeze-drying, and shipping donor milk. Additionally, Third Strand has operating expenses just like any other business. Your generosity helps keep Third Strand operating and growing!

Is Third Strand a Milk Bank?

No. Third Strand is a NonProfit organization that ships frozen milk to families. Third Strand has been recognized by other milk banks and industry experts as a “safe and suitable” alternative to informal milk sharing and donor milk from milk banks that may not be willing to provide milk to babies outside of the hospital setting.

Does Third Strand pasteurize its milk?

No. Third Strand provides milk to our families in the same packaging it was collected in. We do not process or pasteurize any breast milk. Pasteurization is an essential part of Milk Banks - who exclusively feed sick and premature infants in NICU’s. Third Strand focuses on healthy, full-term newborns. Pasteurization kills all bacteria in milk, and there is a lot of good bacteria in breast milk that provides benefits to the baby.

Is donor breast milk safe?

Donor breast milk is a bodily fluid. Anything that can be transmitted in any other bodily fluid can be transmitted through using donor breast milk. That is why it is essential that some screening tool be used to gather needed information about potential donor mothers. Third Strand’s priority is the health and safety of the babies we feed. Our standards are the highest possible standards, when assessing the safety of milk. Still, though, there are inherent risks associated with using donor breast milk.

Does Third Strand test donated breast milk?

No. Third Strand does not conduct any testing on milk. It is cost prohibitive. Third Strand understands that mothers, who are donating milk, are typically under a physician’s care. We rely on the honesty and integrity of mothers who want to help other mothers. Third Strand provides no other incentives to prospective donor mothers.