Milk Matters - Starting a milk bank

"It made me feel proud to know that my milk would go to a very deserving child. Having a baby is a miracle and if I could help just one child it would be an honour."

Andrea (breastmilk donor) - Diep River

"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 am a registered midwife and nursing sister. I have worked at the neonatal unit at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa for the last 18 years.

My son Ashton was delivered by emergency caesarean section at Groote Schuur Hospital. I was only 6months and 4 days pregnancy. Both our lives were in danger and Ashton weighing 990 grams was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. Knowing all the complications that could occur to my child was extremely stressful and emotional. This impacted on my ability to produce breast milk for my son.

I knew how important breast milk was and I knew giving formula was not even an option. Providing these babies with breast milk is the single most effective way of preventing life-threatening complications. Fortunately donor breastmilk was available so thankfully Ashton was given the start he deserved.

Ashton is now 5 years old and is a normal, typical boy of his age. Ashton is an example of the miracle of milk, love and prayers.

I will forever be indebted and thankful to all the mothers who donated breast milk to Ashton."

Lucile (Recipeint baby's mother & Neonatal ICU sister) - 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

Milk Matters

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.

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