BREASTMILK BANK
In August 2001, 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.
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.
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.
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 each donor then delivers her frozen milk to one of 4 satellite stations around Durban or alternatively delivers directly to the iThemba Lethu home. The satellite stations are situated in Durban North, Morningside, Westville and on the Berea. Once a week, or once every two weeks, depending on the supply, the milk is collected by a representative from the Breastmilk Bank from the satellite stations, and delivered to the home. The milk required for each day is defrosted and pasteurised at the home 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 bags. They are then instructed 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 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.
EXERTS FROM THE 2007 ANNUAL REPORT:
In 2007 we received another two shipments of pasteurised breastmilk from the Breastmilk Project. The last shipment which arrived in October contained 80 cartons of breastmilk - 5000 litres! We are indebted to all the wonderful people who made this possible. To read more about the updates on the breastmilk bank, click here.
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
Volunteering:
Many volunteering opportunities are available from assisting with the babies or driving to collect milk.
Funding:
Monetary donations are gratefully accepted. (See "How to be involved")
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.
The launch of the Breastmilk Bank has attracted much media attention. See list below:
The Sunday Sunday Times, July 2007
Columbia Daily Tribune, April 2006
