New mothers urged to become breast milk donors amid low hospital stocks

THE Western Trust has issued an urgent appeal for new mothers to come forward as breast milk donors.

Stocks at the South West Acute Hospital’s Human Milk Bank are running low after a busy Christmas and New Year period

Liz Bailie, coordinator of the Western Trust Milk Bank, said, “We are encouraging new mothers to help with the increase in demand for breast milk and to ensure we have an adequate supply for neonatal units across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

“With our dedicated donors’, our peer support mothers and the help of new donors we will be able to meet the increase demand for breast milk.

“We are very proud that the South West Acute Hospital has been successful in achieving the prestigious UNICEF UK Baby Friendly accreditation and our dedicated midwives and health visitors continue to strive to support new mums to breast feed.”

Last year the Trust achieved the UNICEF UK Gold Standard Award which recognizes our commitment to breastfeeding.

Liz added, “Since 01 January 2021 to  31 December 2021 the Human Milk Bank has processed approximately 2,142 litres of donor expressed milk and we have provided approximately 1,427 litres of breast milk to 27 neonatal units in hospitals across Ireland helping 558 babies, including 92 sets of twins, 11 sets of triplets and one set of quads.  Many of the babies who have received donated breast milk required gut surgery or heart surgery.”

The Milk Bank team expressed their gratitude to the voluntary charity Blood Bikers, which transports the donated milk to units across Ireland.

Elizabeth explains the importance of human milk for premature babies, saying, “Human milk contains substances which help the babies fight viruses and bacteria. It fats that helps develop the immature brain, eye and nervous system.

“Most important for the premature baby it helps to protect the immature gut from Necrotizing Entero Colitis (NEC), a life threatening condition. Breast milk also helps protect babies from pneumonia and septicaemia.”

Donors are required to be registered by the time their baby reaches three months old and once registered the Milk Bank will accept donations up until the sixth month.

All milk donations received must be in sterile milk bottles when expressed and donated into the service within three months of expression.

Donors must be non-smokers, not had a blood transfusion, are not on drugs that pass into breast milk and not had a tattoo, body piercing or acupuncture (unless you can provide a letter from your Acupuncturist regarding single use sterile needles), or have visited Malarial Countries in the last year and are in good health.

If you would like to find out more about the Milk Bank and becoming a donor please contact the Milk Bank on 028 6862 8333 or email TMB.SWAH@westerntrust.hscni.net.