Frequently Asked Questions

1. I’ve heard that using Prolact+ H²MF^® can actually save hospitals money. Is that true?
   Yes. A study in the Journal of Breastfeeding Medicine found that extremely premature infants fed an exclusively human milk diet including the only human milk-based HMF, Prolact+ H²MF^®, had lower expected costs of hospitalization, resulting in net direct savings of $8,167.17 per infant. The study also found that extremely premature infants who were not diagnosed with NEC spent approximately 3.9 fewer days in the NICU than infants who were diagnosed. (http://www.prolacta.com/docs/BFM.2011.0002.pdf) 

2. Is Prolacta a for-profit company?
   Yes. We have invested over 30 million dollars in research, clinical studies and facilities to develop and test our human milk derived products. This world class research and development would not have been possible in a non-profit business model. 

3. Is Prolacta a milk bank?
   Prolacta has set up a network of affiliated milk collection organizations. These organizations can be found in hospitals, birthing centers, or associated with charities. Depending on the organization, they share the responsibilities of qualifying the donors and collecting the milk with Prolacta. All affiliated milk collection organizations have all milk sent to Prolacta for processing. 

4. What does Prolacta do with the milk they collect through the affiliated milk banks?
   The milk that is collected through affiliated milk banks is tested, pasteurized and formulated into nutritional products exclusively for in hospital use. The formulations are made specifically to treat critically ill and premature babies that are in the NICUNICU
   Neonatal/Newborn Intensive Care Unit.. The donations do not serve as substitutes for mother's milk if a baby in not under hospital care. 

5. What are your products?
   Prolacta's commitment to advancing the science of human milk™ has led us to develop and offer the only liquid HMFHMF
   Human milk fortifier is a milk-based nutritional supplement and is mixed with mother's milk or donor milk to increase the levels of protein, energy, calcium, phosphorus, and other nutrients. derived from 100% human milk, as opposed to other HMFHMF
   Human milk fortifier is a milk-based nutritional supplement and is mixed with mother's milk or donor milk to increase the levels of protein, energy, calcium, phosphorus, and other nutrients.s, which are derived from cow's milk. Our line of liquid human milk-based fortifiers, Prolact+ H²MFProlact+ H²MF
   Human milk-based, human milk fortifier. Manufactured by Prolacta Bioscience, it is the only human milk fortifier made from 100% human milk., provide Very Low Birth Weight (VLBWVLBW
   Very low birth weight; a baby weighing 1,500g or less.) premature infants with the nutrition necessary to support appropriate growth and development. Prolacta's human milk-based products have been formulated to deliver exact caloric and protein levels every time. These products are critical to premature infants in the NICUNICU
   Neonatal/Newborn Intensive Care Unit. who require higher levels of protein and calories than can be provided by mothers' milk alone. Prolacta's commitment to advancing the science of human milk™ has led us to develop and offer the only liquid HMFHMF
   Human milk fortifier is a milk-based nutritional supplement and is mixed with mother's milk or donor milk to increase the levels of protein, energy, calcium, phosphorus, and other nutrients. derived from 100% human milk, as opposed to other HMFHMF
   Human milk fortifier is a milk-based nutritional supplement and is mixed with mother's milk or donor milk to increase the levels of protein, energy, calcium, phosphorus, and other nutrients.s, which are derived from cow's milk. Our line of liquid human milk-based fortifiers, Prolact+ H²MFProlact+ H²MF
   Human milk-based, human milk fortifier. Manufactured by Prolacta Bioscience, it is the only human milk fortifier made from 100% human milk., provide Very Low Birth Weight (VLBWVLBW
   Very low birth weight; a baby weighing 1,500g or less.) premature infants with the nutrition necessary to support appropriate growth and development. Prolacta's human milk-based products have been formulated to deliver exact caloric and protein levels every time. These products are critical to premature infants in the NICUNICU
   Neonatal/Newborn Intensive Care Unit. who require higher levels of protein and calories than can be provided by mothers' milk alone. 

6. Where are your products being used?
   Prolacta's completely human milk formulations are used in NICUsNICU
   Neonatal/Newborn Intensive Care Unit. across the nation, for the most fragile babies. 

7. How do I know my preemie will benefit from Prolacta's fortifier products?
   A recent study published in the Journal of Pediatrics showed that when added to human milk, Prolact+ H²MFProlact+ H²MF
   Human milk-based, human milk fortifier. Manufactured by Prolacta Bioscience, it is the only human milk fortifier made from 100% human milk. clinically reduced the odds of developing NECNEC
   Necrotizing enterocolitis is an acute inflammatory disease affecting the intestines of premature infants. by 77% in premature infants weighing 500 g – 1250 g at birth, when compared to infants receiving a cow's milk-based HMF (also commonly called breast milk fortifier) or, when mother's milk was unavailable, preterm infant formula. Earlier studies have also demonstrated that for infants in the NICUNICU
   Neonatal/Newborn Intensive Care Unit., human milk decreases the incidence of diseases such as necrotizing enterocolitis (NECNEC
   Necrotizing enterocolitis is an acute inflammatory disease affecting the intestines of premature infants.), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), and sepsis (infection). 

8. Why does my baby need a human milk fortifier?
   Premature babies, especially babies that weigh 2 pounds 12 ounces or less at birth, have very special nutritional needs. For example, premature babies need more energy to grow than term babies. Premature babies also grow at a rapid pace, so they need more protein than term babies. Prolact+ H²MFProlact+ H²MF
   Human milk-based, human milk fortifier. Manufactured by Prolacta Bioscience, it is the only human milk fortifier (also commonly called breast milk fortifier) made from 100% human milk. is the only human milk fortifier (also commonly called breast milk fortifier) made from breast milk, and it helps provide the additional nutrients your baby needs.*
   
   *Kleinman R, ed. Pediatric Nutrition Handbook. 6th ed. 2009: 31-39 

9. If a baby is prescribed Prolacta's human milk products, how much does it cost a parent?
   Prolacta never charges a parent for product. The cost of Prolacta products is, in most cases, under two percent of the total cost of care for a VLBWVLBW
   Very low birth weight; a baby weighing 1,500g or less. infant. Prolacta's products are treated in the same manner as most products used to provide patient care in hospital. In many cases medical insurance covers the cost of the products. In other cases hospitals are willing to absorb the cost. In fact, hospitals and the health care system save money using Prolact+ H²MFProlact+ H²MF
   Human milk-based, human milk fortifier. Manufactured by Prolacta Bioscience, it is the only human milk fortifier made from 100% human milk. because of the cost savings realized due to the reduced incidence and severity of NECNEC
   Necrotizing enterocolitis is an acute inflammatory disease affecting the intestines of premature infants. seen in our clinical trial. 

10. What does Prolacta do?
    Prolacta is a research driven company dedicated to advancing the science of human milk. We produce specialty nutritional formulations made exclusively from human milk for critically ill premature infants in the NICUNICU
    Neonatal/Newborn Intensive Care Unit.. All our products are clinically proven to meet the needs of these infants. Prolacta is the first and only company to produce an HMFHMF
    Human milk fortifier is a milk-based nutritional supplement and is mixed with mother's milk or donor milk to increase the levels of protein, energy, calcium, phosphorus, and other nutrients. made from 100% human milk, Prolact+ H²MFProlact+ H²MF
    Human milk-based, human milk fortifier. Manufactured by Prolacta Bioscience, it is the only human milk fortifier made from 100% human milk.™. It is added to mothers' own milk or to donor milk. 

11. How do I know that Prolacta's products are safe?
    Our dedication to advancing the science of human milk™ has led us to build a one-of-a-kind, state of the art manufacturing facility. Our products have been safely used in NICUNICU
    Neonatal/Newborn Intensive Care Unit.s throughout the United States and Europe. We use the most sophisticated and innovative processes, pasteurization, and filling methods to ensure the highest possible level of product safety and quality. This includes final testing for microbiological and viral contamination. Viruses are detected using polymerase chain reaction, which is a method that can detect as little as one copy of the virus in a sample by amplifying a short sequence of the viral DNADNA
    Deoxyribonucleic acid is the fundamental building block of an individual's entire genetic makeup. (or RNARNA
    Ribonucleic acid, in some viruses, performs the role of DNA.) to create many copies.
    
    Please refer to our product processing flow diagram for a summary of the processing (View Diagram) 

12. Is Prolacta regulated by any federal or state agencies?
    Yes. Prolacta products are regulated by the FDA. Prolacta's facility is licensed as a tissue bank by the states of California and New York, which require such a license for human milk banking. 

13. How are breast milk donors screened prior to donating milk?
    Breast milk donations follow a rigorous screening process based on the blood banking model. Prolacta is the only organization that uses these combined safety steps:

    1. Potential breast milk donors are screened through a medical history survey. After the screening, the donor is entered into Prolacta's secure database and assigned a donor number.
    2. Once the potential donor passes the medical history survey, she must obtain written approval from her physician and her baby's pediatrician before she can continue in the donation process.
    3. The potential donor measures the temperature in her freezer with a thermometer provided by Prolacta. The temperature must be cold enough to store human milk or, unfortunately, the potential donor may not donate.
    4. A blood test and a DNADNA
       Deoxyribonucleic acid is the fundamental building block of an individual's entire genetic makeup. cheek swab are conducted. The blood test screens for several infectious agents including HIVHIV
       Human immunodeficiency virus is the virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). 1&2, HTLVHTLV
       Human T- lymphotropic virus is a retrovirus that causes some forms of lymphoma, and is in the same class of virus as the AIDS virus, HIV-1. I&II, HBVHBV
       The hepatitis B virus is a cause of hepatitis, a liver disease. It ranges in severity from a mild illness, lasting a few weeks (acute), to a serious long-term (chronic) illness that can lead to liver failure or liver cancer., HCVHCV
       The hepatitis C virus is a cause of hepatitis, a liver disease. HCV infection sometimes results in an acute illness, but most often becomes a chronic condition that can lead to cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer., and syphilis. The DNADNA
       Deoxyribonucleic acid is the fundamental building block of an individual's entire genetic makeup. cheek swab is used to create a donor DNADNA
       Deoxyribonucleic acid is the fundamental building block of an individual's entire genetic makeup. ID. This DNADNA
       Deoxyribonucleic acid is the fundamental building block of an individual's entire genetic makeup. ID will be used later to ensure the milk received is from the donor that was blood tested.
    5. If the potential donor passes the screening and meets all of the requirements outlined above, she is qualified to be a breast milk donor for a four month period. After four months, if she wishes to continue donating, she must complete a new medical history survey and have another blood test.

     

14. What is the co-promotion arrangement between Abbott Nutrition and Prolacta Bioscience^®?
    This co-promotion agreement increases the ability of health care professionals across the U.S. to access Prolacta products, thus giving them more options in the NICU to help support growth and development of the smallest premature infants (≤1250g/2lbs 12 oz). Abbott Nutrition will use its national reach and expertise to broaden the availability of Prolacta Bioscience 100% human milk formulations to health care providers who care for these fragile patients. 

15. For more information about Prolacta's Products or to order:
    Orders for Prolacta's products will continue to be processed by Prolacta. In addition Abbott Nutrition representatives will also be able to assist health care professionals in the ordering process. Customers should continue to contact their current Prolacta representative. They may also place an order by contacting Prolacta Customer Service at (888) 776-5228 (888- PROLACT) or email info@prolacta.com.
    Prolacta's products are available for health care professional use only. 

16. Why should I donate?
    If you have extra milk, it can be processed into specialty formulations for the nutritional needs of premature and critically ill infants in neonatal intensive care units. Many moms donate their extra milk to help babies in need because they have had a preterm baby in the past or know someone who has had that experience. Breast milk donors report a sense of satisfaction knowing they are providing their milk to help premature or sick infants.