Milk Bank donor appeal to help premature babies
Healthcare staff have appealed to new mums to donate their breast milk to boost lowering levels of stock ahead of Christmas.
The Human Milk Bank based at Birmingham Women’s Hospital relies on donated milk which is sterilised and used to help premature and sick babies being cared for across the West Midlands and Wales.
Donna Hearnden, Milk Bank Manager, said: “Our fridges are starting to run a little low and we’re appealing for new parents to come forward and donate.
“All donations are hugely appreciated. Every litre of milk we receive makes a huge difference to sick and premature babies.
“If you are a breastfeeding mother of a baby less than six months old and have excess milk, we would love to hear from you. You could be changing the lives of another baby and their family forever.”
The Milk Bank recently celebrated 75 years and is one of 17 other units in the UK and the only one in the West Midlands.
Milk is collected by volunteer blood bikers before being pasteurised at the hospital and distributed to babies and families in need.
Gemma Holder, Neonatal Consultant, explained how the donor milk is used: “Neonatal units look after the smallest and sickest babies.
“We strongly encourage mums to express their own breast milk, as this really helps their babies fight infections.
“Sometimes they are unable to produce their own milk or can’t produce enough to feed their babies. In those cases, we rely on other mothers who have excess breast milk to donate their milk.”