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"I have no doubt that donor milk saves premature babies' lives and helps prevent HIV infection."


Dr. Max Kroon, Paediatrician

A Doctor's Thank You letter to all the mothers donating milk:

"Dear Mothers
I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation, thanks and gratitude to all the mothers who have donated breast milk.
Breast feeding is not easy. You have gone beyond your call of duty and shown incredible effort, commitment, dedication and generosity to provide milk, not only to your own child but also to a child in need. You have shown that goodness can still prevail in these trying times.
You have restored hope and life, which otherwise may have been lost. We see the miracle of life unfolding before our eyes as these babies grow and develop. This miracle is realised because of your milk. The walls laced with thank you cards, smiling pictures of toddlers and children bear testimony to the lives you have saved and enriched.  
The premature infants, their parents, doctors and nursing staff thank you from the deepest recesses of our hearts. We know not your names, how you look or where you come from, but our bond is close and you are always in our thoughts and prays.
Best wishes and love,
Dr Shukri Raban
Neonatal fellow
Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa    

"No matter how much milk I managed to donate (which at times wasn't much) it was gratefully received by Milk Matters. They were also very helpful and organised, making the whole process really smooth and painless. I definitely plan to donate again in the future."


Leigh M (breastmik donor) - Kirstenhof

 

"It felt wonderful to be able to help other moms and babies in the same way that I had been helped. It has been very special to be both a donor and recipient of breastmilk through the milk bank."


Debbie K. (donor and recipient)

Milk Matters

When can I stop feeding my baby at night?

There is no denying, having a baby is tiring. Sleep depravation is no fun. The advice often given is; "Give your baby extra milk with the evening feed" or "Express so that Daddy can give that as the 2am feed" All well meaning but not always conducive to successful breastfeeding.

Once your baby is 6 weeks or older, you could consider dad giving expressed breastmilk to your baby, for one night feed, once or twice a week.

It would be even better to follow your babies hunger cues and "cluster" feed him in the evenings if that is what he is asking for. He is then far more likely to have a longer sleep during the night. Trying to enforce fewer night feeds could lead to milk reduction, due to the long intervals between feeds.

It could be helpful to have your young baby sleep in your room, even in your bed. Consider the pros and cons. Alternatively Dad could bring baby to you for feeds and or take him back and change his nappy after one or more of the night feeds.

Most babies will require fewer night feeds round 12 weeks, some much sooner. Babies grow all too quickly, don't wish this precious time away.

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