"I wanted to donate milk as I work in a hospital with a neonatal ICU and have hands on expereince with prem babies. I have seen how expressed breastmilk really makes a difference to them. I was only too thrilled to be able to make that difference to other babies."
Chloe - Wynberg (breastmilk donor)
"It has felt good to donate milk and be able to give something to babies who are not so lucky and are not blessed with a mother who can breastfeed them."
Debbie S. (breastmilk donor) - Plumstead
"I express and freeze my milk for donation as there is no better feeling than knowing we are helping other moms and babies."
Andrea (breastmilk donor) - Cape Town
"It made me feel proud to know that my milk would go to a very deserving child. Having a baby is a miracle and if I could help just one child it would be an honour."
Andrea (breastmilk donor) - Diep River
The WHO/ UNICEF International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes
Member States of the World Health Organization adopted the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes twenty-five years ago with the aim of protecting, promoting and supporting appropriate infant and young child feeding practices.
The adoption of the Code was a key milestone in global efforts to improve breastfeeding.
The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative, now adapted to be The Mother and Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative was launched by UNICEF and WHO in 1991.
During this time, evidence for the health advantages of breastfeeding and recommendations for practice has continued to increase. Member States of the World Health Organization can now say with full confidence that breastfeeding reduces child mortality and has health benefits that extend into adulthood. On a population-basis, exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months is the recommended feeding mode for the vast majority of children, followed by continued breastfeeding with appropriate complementary foods for two years and beyond.
The aim of the Code is:
…to contribute to the provision of safe and adequate nutrition for infants, by the protection and promotion of breastfeeding and by the proper use of breastmilk substitutes, when these are necessary, on the basis of adequate information and through appropriate marketing and distribution.
The main Provisions included in the Code of Breastmilk Marketing:
- No advertising of breastmilk substitutes
- No free samples of breastmilk substitutes to mothers
- No promotion of products through health care facilities
- No company representatives to advise mothers
- No gifts or personal samples to health workers
- No words or pictures idealizing artificial feeding, including pictures of infants, on labels of the products
- Information to health workers should be scientific and factual
- All information on artificial feeding, including the labels, should explain the benefits of breastfeeding and the costs and hazards associated with artificial feeding.
- Unsuitable products, such as sweetened condensed milk, should not be promoted for babies
- All products should be of high quality and take into account the climatic and storage conditions of the country where they are used.
