In August 2001, Prof Anna Coutsoudis, through her work in the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health at the University of Natal, opened the “iThemba Lethu Breastmilk 
Bank” under the auspices of iThemba Lethu.
The facts…
Breastmilk is superior nutrition for babies; superior in every sense because it is a living substance. It contains cells and antibodies that are active in fighting infection. It contains substances such as essential fatty acids; these are not found in infant formulas, yet they are incredibly important for brain development and a host of other body processes.
In researching infant feeding, the World Health Organisation has found that babies in the developing world who receive formula milk instead of breastmilk are six times more likely to die of diseases such as diarrhoea and pneumonia. Even in the developed world, babies who do not receive breastmilk are more likely to suffer Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or develop allergies, ear infections and meningitis.
History…
The Breastmilk Bank is managed by Penny Reimers and was made possible through funding from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). James Grant, past director of UNICEF believes that “Breastfeeding is a natural ‘safety net’ against the worst effects of poverty.” He also believes that if a child that can survive the first month in life, breastfeeding for the next four months or so will cancel out the health difference between being born into poverty and affluence.
How it works…
Breastfeeding mothers voluntarily express and donate breast milk, without compromising the supply of their own babies. The milk is frozen by the donors at the end of each day and collected by the Breasmilk Bank staff. The milk is delivered to the iThemba Lethu Breastmilk Bank where it is stored and pasteurised as needed. The milk required for each day is defrosted at the homes before being fed to the babies.
Mothers wanting to become part of the program are asked to complete a screening questionnaire, and unless concerns are raised during the questionnaire, they are given a donor number, a breast pump if they don’t have their own, and a box of breastmilk bottles. They are trained how to express and store the milk.
There are approximately 20 breastmilk donors, each providing about 250ml of breastmilk per day. Excess milk not used by the transition home is supplied to other HIV/AIDS orphanages and babies’ homes.
The Breastmilk Bank keeps records of all donations and is monitoring provision of breastmilk to assess what expressing patterns are better. Options are continually being considered such as what times of the day are better for expressing, if the supply of milk is better with those mothers expressing once each day including weekends – or mothers who choose to express a few times during a single day, then take a break of a day or two before expressing again.
New premises for the Breastmilk Bank…
The official opening and launch of the brand new Milk Bank, situated in the converted garage of the second iThema Lethu home, was held in July 2008. It is wonderful to have the space to work and it accommodates our new improved pasteuriser. This can pasteurise more bottles at a time and has a chilling function so the milk is cooled immediately after the pasteurisation process, thus preserving more nutrients.
How can you help?
Milk Donations
If you are breastfeeding your own baby, you can become a breastmilk donor.
Please contact Penny Reimers on 031-2660567 / 0827013444 or email reimers@wol.co.za
Alternatively you can contact the iThemba Lethu admin office who will direct your enquiry on 031 261 7723 or email info@ithembalethu.org.za
Funding
Monetary donations are gratefully accepted. (See “How to be involved”)
Human Milk Banking Association
In March 2008, the Human Milk Banking Association was constituted at the Priorities Paediatric Conference in Johannesburg. The idea being that this will protect milk banking and provide guidelines for the safe operation of milk banks around the country. We also had the opportunity to present on milk banking and the work done at iThemba Lethu at various conferences; Priorities, La Leche League National Conference, Neonatal Nurses National Conference and the International Milk Banking Conference in Milan, Italy.
International Connections
An exciting connection to the breastmilk bank is the International Breastmilk Project which was started by Jill Youse in the United States of America. Jill was inspired by the iThemba Lethu breastmilk bank and saw an opportunity to make a difference. Not only has she set up a website (www.breastmilkproject.com), but she has also been very effective in highlighting the benefits of breastfeeding and also encouraging other moms in the US to get involved in this initiative – either through the donation of breastmilk or through potential fundraising activities. Three shipments of frozen breastmilk have already been sent out to iThemba Lethu for our babies.
Publicity
OPRAH WINFREY mentions iThemba Lethu
Recently iThemba Lethu was given some wonderful exposure on the Oprah Winfrey show. Oprah did a feature on Jill Youse, who started the INTERNATIONAL BREASTMILK PROJECT in the U.S. Jill has collected donated breastmilk, and has sent 3 shipments to iThemba Lethu. Read more about Jill Youse on her website www.breastmilkproject.com
