Click here to Donate

"So easy to donate - no hassle. Seen many babies in hospital neonatal ICUs do so well on donor milk."


Liza, brestmilk donor and physiotherapist - Kenilworth

 

"I firmly believe that the practice of Milk Banking is still in it's infancy, globally and especially in South Africa. I expect it will steadily increase in profile and will progressively gain support until it overshadows blood transfusion both in the public and medical eye.
 
Donating breast milk is an act that involves the least pain and the most gain, compared to any other human tissue or organ donation. It is potentially life-saving and is worth more than equipment or staff. Together with KMC, it is an intervention that most doctors themselves cannot give, but most mothers can - it completes medical care."

Dr Alan Horn - Neonatologist (Cape Town, South Africa)

"I will do whatever I can to help save these little babies. I am glad to be able to donate my milk to them."


Faranaaz (breastmilk donor) - Mitchell's Plain

"There are 2 broad reasons why I have decided to donate breastmilk:
Firstly as a doctor working in the NICU I have seen how our babies benefit from receiving breastmilk only. How often we have  seen disastrous consequences when an immature gut has been exposed to formula.
Secondly, as a mom I was blessed with 2 healthy babies who I have managed to exclusively breastfeed. I realise how challenging it can be to breastfeed, even in my ideal circumstances, and hope that by providing milk for other babies I can improve not only their survival, but their quality of life."

Candice - doctor in a neonatal ICU & breastmilk donor - Mowbray

Milk Matters

Do the size and shape of my nipples or breasts influence breastfeeding?

Regardless of the size of breasts, big or small, they can all produce the amount of milk required. This is provided off course that the ground rules are followed. Make doubly sure that your baby is correctly latched. (See FAQ and TIPS page on latch and positioning) Sore nipples are not the only indicator of a poor latch. A crying demanding baby, a baby with poor weight gain or a baby who is always difficult to rouse, can also be indicators of a poor latch.

Breastfeed as often as your baby wants to, avoid giving him the tea, water or juice and you will be assured of a good milk supply. Medical conditions that affect milk supply do exist but are extremely rare.

In the past much attention has been paid to nipple size and shape. The key answer to this is that babies do not nipple feed, they breastfeed. Meaning, the nipple is the vessel through which the milk flows and the breast is what the baby latches on to. Early successful latching is more about the baby's initial ability than the shape or size of the mother's nipple.

In rare instances nipple shields could be useful, but are most often used unnecessarily.

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