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Human milk banks are sourcing and supplying donated milk to babies whose mothers cannot breastfeed

- Lachmi Deb Roy

WHEN Zarina (pseudonym to protect privacy), a resident of Bangalore, delivered a premature baby in seven months, doctors lost all hope. The infant was 700 gm and Zarina couldn’t lactate. They fed her iron-fortified milk, which she was unable to digest. So they got in touch with Amaara, a human milk bank supplying milk to preterm babies. When the baby received human milk after three days on a ventilator, she immediately began responding to treatments. She is now a year old and has no medical complications.

The World Health Organization says that mother’s milk is critical for infants and young children as it helps build immunity. Formula-fed babies are at greater risk of necrotizing enterocolitis. Some new mothers can easily breastfeed their babies, while others find it challenging. In case the mother’s milk is unavailable or insufficient owing to health concerns or preterm delivery, babies can be weaned on milk sourced from a human breast bank. This is also recommended when a mother has an illness that could be passed on to the baby.

However, before opting for donated milk, it is recommended to consult a doctor. Suresh Birajdar, consultant, pediatrics and neonatology, Motherhood Hospitals, Mumbai says, “Doctors can guide mothers regarding breast milk banks. Even if milk from the bank may seem like a decent alternative, it may not provide nutrition like a mother’s milk as it is heated and pasteurized. Since banked milk is scarce, premature babies and those in neonatal intensive care units should get priority.”