About the Alliance
MADMA, formerly Mothers' Milk Alliance, was born in 2007 from the meeting of two mothers: one with extra breast milk and one with low milk supply. The alliance connects local families and builds safety education and donor screening into the exchange.
One timeless solution has been milk sharing. Shared breast milk can support infant nutrition while strengthening local bonds. MADMA works as an informed choice model: it facilitates donor lab testing, safety education and health screening, and makes milk accessible to local infants.
How it works
- It starts with a phone call or email — whether you have an over-full freezer or a supply concern.
- Schedule an appointment for donor health screening and lab testing, or for a freezer pick-up.
- Read the documents that apply to you and complete the relevant forms.
- Milk is available on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to supply.
- Donor milk is not pasteurized here; families may use the documented flash-heat instructions.
- The milk is free, and the alliance's expenses are covered by donations.
At a glance
| Item | What it means | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Who it serves | Families in Dane County, Wisconsin | Current intake and eligibility |
| Donor screening | Health history and lab testing before donation | Which tests are required |
| Milk supply | First-come, first-served, subject to availability | Availability before you plan |
| Milk cost | Milk is free; expenses are covered by donations | How donations are used |
Sections
What Informed Milk Sharing Is
The community model of milk sharing, how it started here and what it is not.
How the Alliance Began
The 2007 meeting of two mothers that started the alliance, described as the archive records it.
The Community Model: How Milk Moves Locally
First-come availability, local families and why the model stays community-based.
From our community
“Local milk sharing helped our family through a difficult first month, and the screening steps were explained clearly.”
Family perspectiveNews
Protocols and Documents: What to Review
Which forms and safety documents apply before donating or receiving milk.
Our Name Is Changing
Why the alliance adopted the Madison Area Donor Milk Alliance name.
Screening Basics: What Is Involved
A plain-language summary of donor screening and lab testing.
Handling Milk at Home: Key Points
Storage, thawing and the documented flash-heat method.
How Supporters Keep It Running
Donations, volunteers and partners behind the alliance.