Breastfeeding is not always possible for all women. But fear not, because today there are many viable alternatives to feed your baby, such as donor breast milk banks.
It contains all the nutrients babies need up to 6 months of age, therefore it is recommended as the only food during this time period.
AND checked that mother’s milk prevents infections and allergies and covers all nutritional needs to promote the development and growth of infants. If you want to know more information about donating breast milk, approved by experts and studies, stay and read this article.
What is the importance of donating breast milk?
Donating breast milk is important because it saves lives. As mentioned above, there are several situations where women are unable to meet this need of children.
Currently, May 19 is recognized as World Human Milk Donation Day. This designation was created with the aim of raising awareness of the importance of doing so, as it serves to save the lives of premature babies every day and improve the goal of the children cared for around the world.
According to the Pan American Health Organization and the World Health Organization (PAHO and WHO), the consumption of this food is considered vital for the growth and development of children.
The good news is that there are more than 500 milk banks spread across 37 countries around the world. The donation of breast milk is an action with altruistic purposes. The process is simple and continues the trend towards building more banks to extend this practice.
What are milk banks and how do they work?
THE Spanish Association of Human Milk Banks (AEBLH) defines this type of organization as specialized centers responsible for the promotion of breastfeeding, where donated breast milk from selected mothers is received, processed, analysed, stored and distributed.
After a setback in the creation and use of human milk banks in the 1980s, they are exploding again, thus saving many newborn lives. Believe it or not, these cases are quite common.
How do human milk banks work? Usually this is the procedure:
- Selection: all breastmilk donors are screened and must pass an interview with managers within the organisation. It is important to point out if they suffer from communicable diseases, consume certain drugs or have unhealthy habits.
- Harvesting equipment: In many cases, selected donors are provided with collection equipment, containers and identification tags, as well as training on collection methods.
- Accusation: archiving also takes place in this same phase. It is a sterile environment where microbiological tests are performed to ensure that no pathogenic germs are present. They are kept in the freezer until the time indicated for delivery.
- Delivery: It is important to remember that the only way breast milk can be dispensed is with a prescription.
What should I consider before donating breast milk?
One of the most frequently asked questions before starting to donate breast milk is whether the baby will run out of milk himself. It is essential that you know that this will not happen.
You can rest assured, because your little one will continue to receive the amount needed for optimal development. Also the good news is that pumping milk will increase your production and you will be able to cover as much as possible the typical needs of the first 6 months.
Blood analysis
Other than interviewing specific milk bank staff, you cannot donate if you have any diseases or infections that are transmitted through this route, such as HIV, syphilis, hepatitis C or hepatitis B. Here’s why, in the end , they will do a blood test to rule out the existence of any of them.
altruistic work
Another interesting fact is that there is no financial reward for being a breastmilk donor. It’s an altruistic job, only for those mothers who want to help other children and also women who can’t offer food to their little ones.
The greatest satisfaction, however, is being able to help those children who need it so much. Any healthy mom with a good lifestyle can do it!
Good habits
Make sure you adhere to having a healthy lifestyleeat properly, not suffer from risky diseases due to their transmission and have every desire to collaborate, because there are undoubtedly many children who need mother’s milk to survive.
If you have any other questions, please contact the customer service staff of the human milk bank closest to your home.
it’s not painful
Unless your nipples are hurt, the process of expressing breast milk is not painful. For example, there are electrical mining equipment that you can adjust the speed to, until you reach a speed you feel comfortable with.
in various blogging pregnant women ensure that a good option is to use an oil or a special lubricant for the area, so as not to end up with sensitive skin.
What is the procedure to become a donor?
Becoming a breast milk donor is a relatively simple process. The interview with the bank managers can also take place via telephone contact.
There they will ask you about your medical history and other questions to find out whether you use drugs or not. Tests and a positive report should usually be approved by a GP.
If you already know a breastmilk bank near your home, you can contact them by phone and make an appointment for an interview. The extraction process follows; the same bank sends you the containers and all the necessary supplies so you can do it from home. These products come with detailed instructions.
After expressing the milk you will need to empty it into containers marked with labels that include your unique donor number. These They should stay in the freezer for 2 months.However, the time may vary depending on what you have agreed with the bank.
Subsequently, transportation is a problem that the bank or mother can take care of. Breast milk must be transported inside a refrigerator o portable wine cellar; this is known as Cold chain.
In the event that they are defrosting, it is advisable to empty the ice inside the container in order to keep them intact and not to allow them to get damaged, at least until they arrive at the premises.
As you see, Becoming a donor is a simple process that you can do from home. Don’t worry, as you will never run out of advice.
If you have the slightest doubt, you can contact the milk bank staff, who will always be ready to help you during this process. Best of all, you’ll help save many children’s lives!
Who will get the milk from these banks?
Milk from banks is received by infants of low birth weight, especially those that weigh less than 1500 grams. But it is also required by children with risks of digestive and infectious diseases. In most of these cases, the goal is to reduce the chances of newborn death.
It should be noted that in order to receive milk from these organizations, the child must have a doctor’s prescription; either for more serious reasons or because his mother doesn’t have the possibility to feed him. In some cases it is also used to feed children who have undergone digestive surgery.
Donating breast milk changes the world
Breast milk is also a medicine. Although not economically remunerated, many mothers experience the satisfaction of helping save lives. Indeed, in some cases, extraction means relief in the pain of women who have a large food production.
Remember that your baby will never run out of milk; You will continue to cover the free application whilst ensuring that other children have a better quality of life in or out of hospital. Go ahead and consult with the staff at the nearest milk bank.
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