Celebrating World Breastmilk Donation Day with our Milk Bank
To celebrate World Breastmilk Donation Day, our Women’s Hospital’s milk bank and neonatal teams are celebrating and thanking all of the incredible donors who have donated their breast milk.
The Human Milk Bank at our Women’s Hospital is the only one of its kind in the West Midlands, providing donor breast milk to our own neonatal babies, as well as to hospitals around the region and beyond.
The breast milk generously donated from mums is used on the neonatal unit for sick and premature babies. It is also used to support mothers while they are establishing their own milk supply or if they are unable to provide their own milk due to geographical separation or maternal illness.
Last year, the milk bank had 161 donors sign up who all donated excess breast milk, and so far, nearly 50 donors have signed up this year.
During 2024, the milk bank received over 1230 litres of breast milk from donors and were able to send 789 litres to other neonatal units across the UK.
Mums and women have donated breastmilk to our milk bank for a variety of reasons. One mum said: “ I didn't manage to breastfeed my first child due to mental health and I didn't know how much I wanted to until I struggled.
“With my second child, I was determined to breastfeed and got lots of support. Even though it was still tough, I know I wanted to donate if I was able to, as it was so important to me to share something so precious with babies who need it.
“I don't even have to pump every day to make the minimum amount so it's easier than I thought it would be.”
Donna Hearnden, Milk Bank Manager, and colleagues Marina Rudge and Gayle Lees want to thank all the mums who have signed up to donate excess milk.
Donna said: “We’re extremely grateful to each and every one of our donors who donate their breast milk.
“We’ve had so many mums signing up to donate their breast milk this year and we’re thankful to every mum who donates, and to all of the volunteer blood bikers who collect the breast milk to bring it to us.
“Every litre of milk makes a huge difference and we couldn’t do it without the kindness and generosity of our donor mums, so thank you.”