Milk bank calls for donors
Lower Umfolozi Regional War Memorial Hospital calls for women to donate milk at their donor milk bank.
AS the first week of August commemorates breastfeeding awareness, the Lower Umfolozi Regional War Memorial Hospital launched a campaign on Tuesday to promote their in-house donor milk bank.
‘A donor milk bank involves breastfeeding mothers voluntarily donating breast milk without compromising the supply for their own babies,’ said dietician Nicole Govender.
‘Mothers willing to donate undergo a screening procedure. The donated breast milk is tested, pasteurised, frozen and ready to be supplied to vulnerable infants – vulnerable meaning pre-term, low weight, abandoned or orphaned babies.’ she said.
The bank, which was started in March this year, is aimed at alleviating the milk shortage for vulnerable infants. Often the reason why some women are unable to produce little or any milk is a result of stress, pain or a possible effect of a caesarean section.
To qualify as a donor, women must be healthy and lactating, be a non-smoker, not consume drugs or alcohol and maintain an overall healthy lifestyle.
‘Human breast milk is easily digested and it provides immune strengthening factors which reduce the risk of infections, allergies and illnesses. Breast milk provides all the nutrients babies require to grow in the first six months of life,’ Govender said.
For more information or interested donors can contact Dietetics on 035 9077088.
