"It was a priviledge to share my daughter's milk. Hope to have another baby soon & loooads of milk!"
Stefanie, breastmilk donor - Muizenberg
I hope that this project keeps going for years to come- it is truly a fantastic initiative. What a great way to make a huge difference in the lives of those special little people…"
Megan (breastmilk donor) Blue Downs, Cape Town
"As a working mom who must travel for work, I was thrilled to discover Milk Matters on my recent trip to Cape Town. I spent a week there and Milk Matters made the whole experience of donating milk so easy.
I was so pleased that I could donate my milk to babies who could really use it instead of having to throw it away. I would encourage more traveling mamas to do the same."
Liz A. - donor mom from Washington, DC
I hope that this project keeps going for years to come- it is truly a fantastic initiative. What a great way to make a huge difference in the lives of those special little people…"
Megan (breastmilk donor) Blue Downs, Cape Town
Starting a milk bank
Breastmilk saves lives, a fact widely recognised all over the world. Premature and sick infants are most at risk, should they not receive breastmilk. When their own mothers are ill or absent an alternative source of breastmilk is necessary. Donor bank milk provides the answer healthy breastfeeding mothers can donate their milk to these vulnerable infants.
There are presently three milk banks in South Africa; Ithemba Lethu in Kwazulu-Natal, The South African Breastmilk Reserve (SABR) in Gauteng and Milk Matters in the Western Cape. It is possible for any institution, large or small, public or private to set up its own milk bank.
To date, Milk Matters has facilitated three hospitals in the setting up of their own milk banks. Each of these affiliated banks has their own pasteurisers, donors, containers, freezers, laboratory testing and administrative guidelines. See pasteurizing options
Five other hospitals have successfully managed to source, test, pasteurise and administer donor milk under our guidance at minimal costs. Several additional institutions have made enquiries.
Are you interested in starting a milk bank? If so, read more at United Kingdom Association for Milk Banking or Human Milk Banking Association of North America and contact us at info@milkmatters.org for further practical information.
