"My little Gabe had the benefit of donor milk from Milk Matters! He was born at 27 weeks, 900grams (dropped to 750 grams) and he is now 2.3kg!! He has had very little serious health problems and it is my firm believe that it is due to the donor breast milk that he received!! "
Angelique - mom of baby who received donor milk
"I never knew the babies I donated to, but I am very happy in the knowledge that my body was able to provide for sickly newborns whose mothers were unable to breastfeed."
Nwabisa (breastmilk donor) - Pinelands
"Having had a baby almost 8 weeks early myself, it meant a lot to help other prem babies, without milk from their moms, by donating milk to Milk Matters, a very special organisation that is very close to my heart."
Michelle S. (breastmilk donor) - Greenpoint
"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
What can be done if a baby suddenly refuses the breast?
Breast rejection can occur in the first weeks - often for unknown reasons - but also in older babies and toddlers. The mother may want to try the following suggestions:
- Make sure the baby is healthy and well. His mouth may be sore due to teething or thrush, or his nose may be blocked or he might have earache.
- As baby gets older so he feeds for less time at the breast. He is stronger therefore he drinks quicker.
- Try different feeding positions. Holding your baby in an upright sitting position rather than lying down, often encourages feeding.
- Cuddle your baby before feeding and try to relax while feeding. Severe tiredness and tension may slow the release of milk and the baby may become frustrated. Try massaging the breasts before and during the feed.
- Don’t force baby to feed.
- Try feeding when baby is still drowsy after a nap or as he goes off to sleep.
- Express a few drops of milk onto the nipple before starting to feed or offer expressed breast milk from a spoon or dropper to whet his appetite.
- Feeding in the bath could also be helpful.