Contact us
High contrast
This page has been automatically translated.
Breast milk is the best food for newborns. It supports healthy development, strengthens the immune system and protects against infections and intestinal problems.
Breast milk is particularly important for premature babies or sick children being cared for in neonatology - it is individually tailored to the child's needs and contains many protective ingredients.
If your own milk is not (yet) available in sufficient quantities, donated breast milk (women's milk) can help - safely tested, hygienically processed and valuable for the well-being of the child.
The Lactarium is a specialised facility of the UKBB. It collects, analyses, pasteurises, stores and distributes donated breast milk from breastfeeding mothers who produce more milk than their own baby needs. This ensures that even the smallest patients receive the best possible nutrition - with all the benefits that only breast milk offers.
With every milk donation, mothers give other newborns a good start in life. Every drop counts - for your child and for others who need support.
The Lactarium collects, analyses, stores, processes and distributes donated breast milk (women's milk) from women who have a surplus of milk.
It is an important facility for supplying premature babies and sick newborns with breast milk if their own mothers do not (yet) have enough milk available.
Our donors are:
All donors are questioned about their state of health and serologically tested for certain infectious diseases. Each milk donation is also microbiologically tested and gently heat-treated (pasteurised) before it is passed on. In this way, we ensure that the donated milk meets the highest quality and safety standards.
Donated breast milk is only given to premature babies and sick infants whose mothers do not (yet) have sufficient milk supply. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends the use of breast milk as the best alternative to the mother's own milk. Every donation helps to ensure that even the smallest babies get the best possible start in life.
Every day at the Women's Milk Bank (FMB) is characterised by careful work, precision and responsibility - always with the aim of ensuring the best possible nutrition for the little ones.
In the morning, our staff collect the previous day's expressed breast milk from the wards and take it to the breast milk bank. Here, further processing takes place according to the doctor's prescription: the doctors determine exactly which child receives which milk in which quantity and whether additives (supplements/enrichments) are necessary.
Our team implements these regulations conscientiously. Unused breast milk is frozen so that it can be used later if required.
At the same time, we carry out bacteriological tests to examine the donated milk for bacteria and ensure microbiological safety. Another important part of the work is pasteurising the breast milk to make it hygienically safe for use in premature babies.
In addition to processing breast milk and women's milk, the women's milk bank also prepares formula food (special food/milk powder). This is intended for children,
Formula production is an essential part of our work - it supplies not only premature babies, but the entire paediatric clinic with carefully coordinated special nutrition. The Lactarium works closely with the UKBB's nutritional counsellors.
And of course we also look after all our donors: We accompany them personally, answer their questions, support them during pumping and ensure that every donor feels safe and well looked after.
Here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about milk donation - and all the important documents to help you make your decision.
Information material and patient documentation:
These documents contain all the important information on the preparation, hygiene, storage and delivery of breast milk.
Our staff at the Lactarium will be happy to advise you personally if you have any questions or need help filling out the documents.
Have you read through the information brochure and would like to become a donor?
Then please complete the consent form for donating breast milk and send it to us by e-mail to us.
Hygiene and refrigeration are particularly important to preserve the valuable ingredients.
Further information can be found in the following patient information
The breast milk that you express is carefully labelled, cooled and processed in the lactarium. We store any surplus breast milk for you professionally and keep it frozen. Based on the doctor's prescription, it is prepared individually for your baby every day. When your child is discharged from hospital, you can take home the frozen breast milk stored for you in the milk bank.
Make sure that the cold chain is fully maintained when transporting breast milk. We would be happy to advise you personally on this.
Please note: For capacity reasons, we have to dispose of frozen breast milk that has not been collected by you one week after discharge.
If you are unable to attend, please contact us in good time:
T +41 61 704 18 41 (daily 8.00 - 16.00)
If your child is not (yet) able to feed at the breast, we will be happy to help you with this:
Our aim is to ensure that every child receives the best possible nutrition - whether with their own or donated breast milk.
Breastfeeding counselling contact: Breastfeeding counselling usually takes place on Wednesdays or by individual appointment. To make an appointment, please contact the nurse responsible for your child at UKBB.
The Medgate Kids Line provides quick and uncomplicated medical advice if your child is unwell. The medical team of our partner Medgate is available to you by telephone around the clock.
For emergencies abroad: Call the emergency number of your health insurance company. You will find this number on your health insurance card.
More information: On the Page of the emergency ward you will find everything you need to know about behaviour in emergencies, typical childhood illnesses and waiting times.
144 Outpatient clinic
145 Tox Info Suisse (Poisonings)
117 Police
118 Fire brigade
Which topic would you like to contact us about?
For praise or criticism, please use the Feedback form.
