"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
"Having had a baby almost 8 weeks early myself, it meant a lot to help other prem babies, without milk from their moms, by donating milk to Milk Matters, a very special organisation that is very close to my heart."
Michelle S. (breastmilk donor) - Greenpoint
"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
" I am so thankful that my babies got the best by receiving donor milk, and that I was given a bit of leeway to get my own milk going without too much stress. My twins are four months old now and still breastfeeding."
Cathy S (breastmilk recipient) Cape Town
Starting a milk bank
Breastmilk saves lives, a fact widely recognised all over the world. Premature and sick infants are most at risk, should they not receive breastmilk. When their own mothers are ill or absent an alternative source of breastmilk is necessary. Donor bank milk provides the answer healthy breastfeeding mothers can donate their milk to these vulnerable infants.
There are presently three milk banks in South Africa; Ithemba Lethu in Kwazulu-Natal, The South African Breastmilk Reserve (SABR) in Gauteng and Milk Matters in the Western Cape. It is possible for any institution, large or small, public or private to set up its own milk bank.
To date, Milk Matters has facilitated three hospitals in the setting up of their own milk banks. Each of these affiliated banks has their own pasteurisers, donors, containers, freezers, laboratory testing and administrative guidelines. See pasteurizing options
Five other hospitals have successfully managed to source, test, pasteurise and administer donor milk under our guidance at minimal costs. Several additional institutions have made enquiries.
Are you interested in starting a milk bank? If so, read more at United Kingdom Association for Milk Banking or Human Milk Banking Association of North America and contact us at info@milkmatters.org for further practical information.
