" I was told of the milk bank and immediately decided this was a brilliant idea and started donating my extra breastmilk."
Andi (breastmilk donor) - Dieprivier
" I am so thankful that my babies got the best by receiving donor milk, and that I was given a bit of leeway to get my own milk going without too much stress. My twins are four months old now and still breastfeeding."
Cathy S (breastmilk recipient) Cape Town
"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
"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
When would breastmilk need to be pasteurised?
Research indicates that pasteurising breastmilk destroys potentially harmful bacteria and viruses.
- It is therefore standard practice, all over the world, to pasteurise donor milk before giving it to recipient babies
- Mothers who are HIV positive should be given the option of pasteurising their breastmilk for their babies. It is immaterial whether their babies are premature or not
Three methods of Heat Treating / Pasteurisation Breastmilk are described below.
- Pretoria Pasteurisation
- Flash Pasteurisation
- Holder Pasteurisation
Pretoria Pasteurisation
Research conducted by Jeffrey B.S et al, J Trop Paeds 2000
Equipment
- 1Lt Hart pot (milk warmer)
- 450gr Glass Peanutbutter jar
- Kettle or other utensil in which to boil water
- Clock / timer
Method
- Label glass jar with baby's name, the date and time
- Mother expresses 50 to 150ml into glass jar
- Close lid and place jar into 1Lt pot
- Pour boiling water - 450ml or 2cm below pot brim
- May need weight on top of jar
- Leave standing for ½ hr
- Remove milk, cool, administer to baby or store in fridge
Flash Pasteurisation
Research conducted by Israel-Ballard K. et al, JAIDS Oct 2005
Equipment
- 1Lt Hart or similar pot
- 450gr Peanut butter or similar glass jar
- Stove / fire (Needs reasonably intense heat)
Method
- Label glass jar with baby's name, the date and time
- Mother expresses 50 to 150ml into glass jar
- Cover jar
- Place jar into pot / pan
- Add (room temp) water into pot to 2cm above milk level (about 450ml)
- May need weight on top of jar
- Bring the water to rapid boil - remove milk immediately from both the water and heat source
- Cool milk, administer to baby or store in fridge
Table of Nutritional Comparison between Pretoria and Flash Methods (by Israel-Ballard K. et al, JAIDS Oct 2005 )
Holder Method
Equipment
- Locally manufactured Holder Pasteurization Unit available (Details available from Milk Matters)
- Glass jars of the same size with well sealing lids and similar amounts of milk in each jar.
Method
- Unit is filled with tap water to a specified level
- Unit is switched on and warms water to a minimum of 62.5°C
- Jars of milk are submerged in Pasteurization Unit basket
- Temperature of 62.5 °C is automatically maintained for 30 minutes
- The buzzer will sound and the basket with jars must be removed
