"Remember that your small effort can make a huge difference in the lives of babies that struggle for survival."
Michelle (breastmilk donor) - Cape Town
"When Milk Matters told me that preemies needed just 50ml a day to survive and I was feeding my son breastmilk all day long, I wanted to help and knew I could."
Helen (breastmilk donor) - University Estate
"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
“My son was admitted to Groote Schuur Hospital neonatal ward in November 2009. He needed milk.
I was unable to give him breastmilk. He was born at 27 weeks with weight 985gr. Thank you very much to the donors who donated breast milk. It really saved my sons life.
Because of your organisation, most of all your donors, my son is healthy, his weight at the moment is 4.5kg - getting fatter by the day. May God bless you all and the work you do. THANK YOU! THANK YOU!"
Edith Medell (mother of baby receiving donor breastmilk) Cape Town
Milk Matters
What can be done if a baby suddenly refuses the breast?
Breast rejection can occur in the first weeks - often for unknown reasons - but also in older babies and toddlers. The mother may want to try the following suggestions:
- Make sure the baby is healthy and well. His mouth may be sore due to teething or thrush, or his nose may be blocked or he might have earache.
- As baby gets older so he feeds for less time at the breast. He is stronger therefore he drinks quicker.
- Try different feeding positions. Holding your baby in an upright sitting position rather than lying down, often encourages feeding.
- Cuddle your baby before feeding and try to relax while feeding. Severe tiredness and tension may slow the release of milk and the baby may become frustrated. Try massaging the breasts before and during the feed.
- Don’t force baby to feed.
- Try feeding when baby is still drowsy after a nap or as he goes off to sleep.
- Express a few drops of milk onto the nipple before starting to feed or offer expressed breast milk from a spoon or dropper to whet his appetite.
- Feeding in the bath could also be helpful.