"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
"It cost me nothing and took just a bit of my time. More importantly, I was saving a life, a little baby's life."
Helen P (breastmilk donor) - Cape Town
"Being a Milk Donor was something that had never crossed my mind pre motherhood.
I learned that my excess milk could save premature babies lives. Babies not as fortunate as mine could have an abundant supply of breast milk.
I just thought: what a blessing, what an opportunity. I could help save a life."
Terri (breastmilk donor) Green Point
I hope that this project keeps going for years to come- it is truly a fantastic initiative. What a great way to make a huge difference in the lives of those special little people…"
Megan (breastmilk donor) Blue Downs, Cape Town
The WHO/ UNICEF International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes
Member States of the World Health Organization adopted the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes twenty-five years ago with the aim of protecting, promoting and supporting appropriate infant and young child feeding practices.
The adoption of the Code was a key milestone in global efforts to improve breastfeeding.
The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative, now adapted to be The Mother and Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative was launched by UNICEF and WHO in 1991.
During this time, evidence for the health advantages of breastfeeding and recommendations for practice has continued to increase. Member States of the World Health Organization can now say with full confidence that breastfeeding reduces child mortality and has health benefits that extend into adulthood. On a population-basis, exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months is the recommended feeding mode for the vast majority of children, followed by continued breastfeeding with appropriate complementary foods for two years and beyond.
The aim of the Code is:
…to contribute to the provision of safe and adequate nutrition for infants, by the protection and promotion of breastfeeding and by the proper use of breastmilk substitutes, when these are necessary, on the basis of adequate information and through appropriate marketing and distribution.
The main Provisions included in the Code of Breastmilk Marketing:
- No advertising of breastmilk substitutes
- No free samples of breastmilk substitutes to mothers
- No promotion of products through health care facilities
- No company representatives to advise mothers
- No gifts or personal samples to health workers
- No words or pictures idealizing artificial feeding, including pictures of infants, on labels of the products
- Information to health workers should be scientific and factual
- All information on artificial feeding, including the labels, should explain the benefits of breastfeeding and the costs and hazards associated with artificial feeding.
- Unsuitable products, such as sweetened condensed milk, should not be promoted for babies
- All products should be of high quality and take into account the climatic and storage conditions of the country where they are used.
