Milkbank celebrates 75 years of helping neonatal babies
Birmingham’s Human Milk Bank is celebrating 75 years - and in just half a decade it’s collected the equivalent of 7,300 pints, helping to feed thousands of babies.
The service based at Birmingham Women’s Hospital provides donor breast milk to premature babies on neonatal units across the West Midlands and Wales.
Established in 1950, it’s the only one in the West Midlands and is one of 17 others in the UK. 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 why 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.”
Within the last five years, the milk bank has received more than 4,200 litres from mums across Birmingham.
Donna Hearnden, Milk Bank Manager, added: “We’re extremely grateful to every one of our donors for their breast milk and to all the volunteer blood biker groups.
“We simply wouldn’t be able to do what we do without their kindness and generosity of donating their time or excess milk.”
The service is also appealing for new donors. Donna added: “Our fridges are starting to run a little low, and we’re appealing for new parents to come forward and donate.
“Any amount is hugely appreciated, and every litre of milk we receive makes a huge difference to sick and premature babies.”
You can find out more about donating breast milk on the milk banks dedicated page on our website