ITHEMBA Lethu Breastmilk Bank is joining a worldwide host of individuals and organisations to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week (WBF Week) from 1 to 7 August.
In keeping with the 2019 theme, Empower parents – enable breastfeeding, Joelle Gibson said iThemba Lethu wanted to honour the many breastfeeding mums, their partners, friends and employers who ensured that babies received the best nutrition that growing infants need.
“Moreover, we would like to extend a special salute to the mums who donate their breastmilk to the little ones in our care at the iThemba Lethu Transition Homes. Not only have these mums benefited babies in our care, but we have on occasion been able to supply donor milk to vulnerable babies in public and private hospitals and other care homes,” she said.
Joelle said the evidence gathered from scientific studies has consistently pointed to the unequalled importance of breastmilk in a baby’s first six months of life and the continued benefit of extended breastfeeding along with complimentary foods well beyond that.
It was this evidence that led UKZN researcher and academic, Prof Anna Coutsoudis, to establish the iThemba Lethu Breastmilk Bank in August 2001 in order to provide donor breastmilk for the orphaned and abandoned babies in the care of the iThemba Lethu Transition home.
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“It has been an immense privilege for iThemba Lethu to witness malnourished, barely surviving babies transformed into healthy and thriving little ones, thanks to lifesaving donor milk, and of course, lots of love,” said Joelle.
World Breastfeeding Week was established by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) in 1992 in order to protect, promote and support a global culture of breastfeeding.
It is observed in 120 countries across the globe.
A Breastmilk Bank (much like a blood bank) relies on approved donors to ensure a steady supply of stock. Donated breastmilk is pasteurised and stored, ready to be fed to babies (most often preemies, critically ill and or orphaned) who do not have access to their own mothers’ milk. iThemba Lethu follows strict screening, pasteurisation and microbiological testing guidelines to ensure that our donor breastmilk is safe. All donor mothers are first screened before their milk is accepted, in order to ensure that they do not carry any risks. Successful donors pass a lifestyle screening questionnaire, are in good general health, provide blood test results, abstain from smoking, illegal drugs and alcohol and have direct access to a fridge and freezer.
To get involved, visit: https://www.ithembalethu.org.za, contact: breastmilkbank@ithembalethu.org.za or 031 261 7723.
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