North Carolina Will Open Two New Milk Donor Sites
New collection locations in Greensboro and Winston-Salem will debut in October 2026 to support NICU babies.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Babies
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The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will launch two breast milk donor drop-off sites in October 2026. This expansion aims to reduce travel time for donors and assist the high number of infants in neonatal intensive care units who require supplemental milk.
Why it matters
Expanding the collection network helps address the critical need for donor milk for NICU infants. By increasing access points across the state, officials hope to ensure that more babies receive the vital nutrition their mothers may not be able to provide.
Approximately 6 out of 10 NICU babies require supplemental milk beyond what their mothers produce. The state currently utilizes two existing drop-off locations in Chapel Hill and Charlotte to facilitate this program.
The players
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
This state agency oversees the health and well-being of North Carolina residents and manages public health initiatives.
WakeMed Mothers' Milk Bank
This organization operates a specialized bank that collects and distributes donor human milk to infants in need.
The details
Interested donors must complete an application and screening process through the WakeMed Mothers' Milk Bank to be approved. Once cleared, they can drop off milk at the designated hospital locations to support the program's partnership efforts.
Timeline
New donor drop-off sites are set to open in October 2026.
Two additional donor site locations are planned to open before the end of 2026.
Culture Shift
The expansion of donor milk networks reflects a broader societal move toward prioritizing breast milk access for vulnerable infants in medical settings. This effort aligns with nationwide movements to improve infant nutrition through standardized and accessible donation infrastructure.
For mothers looking to donate, the new sites reduce the travel distance required to contribute to the milk bank. Prospective donors must prioritize completing the required application and screening steps before they can drop off supplies at these local facilities.
The takeaway
Donating breast milk is a highly regulated process that requires prior screening for donor approval. Families interested in participating should contact the milk bank directly to understand the specific safety requirements for milk storage and transport.
What happens next
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services plans to open two additional donor site locations by the end of 2026.
Further reading
Find more information regarding infant health and resources on our Babies page.
More information
To learn about the application process, visit the WakeMed Mothers' Milk Bank website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WXII.
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Should medical institutions prioritize increasing local community access to donated human milk?
