"I do not have time to do charity work, nor do I have an abundance of money to donate to all those worthy causes out there, so this was my way of giving back to society.
Wouldn't you hope that a mom out there would step up and do the same thing for your baby?"
Lisa V (breastmilk donor) - Cape Town
"It cost me nothing and took just a bit of my time. More importantly, I was saving a life, a little baby's life."
Helen P (breastmilk donor) - Cape Town
"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)
"I urge any mom out there, wondering if donating milk is for them, to think about how many lives can be saved."
Lisa (breastmilk donor) - Kirstenhof
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.
