Milk banks

Milk Banks

A Milk Bank is a service that collects, screens, processes, and dispenses by prescription human milk donated by nursing mothers who are not biologically related to the recipient infant. The primary purpose of a milk bank is to provide human milk to infants who are not able to receive sufficient milk from their own mothers.

History

The concept of milk banking has been around for over a century, with the first human milk bank opening in Vienna, Austria in 1909. The first milk bank in the United States was established in Boston, Massachusetts in 1911. The number of milk banks grew rapidly in the 1980s due to the increased recognition of the benefits of human milk for premature and sick infants.

Process

The process of milk banking involves several steps. First, potential donors are screened for infectious diseases and lifestyle factors that could affect the quality of the milk. The donated milk is then pasteurized to kill any bacteria or viruses. After pasteurization, the milk is tested for bacterial contamination before it is frozen and stored. When a prescription is received, the appropriate amount of milk is thawed, bottled, and shipped to the recipient.

Benefits

The benefits of milk banking are numerous. For premature and sick infants, human milk provides optimal nutrition, promotes normal growth and development, and reduces the risk of many diseases. For mothers, donating milk can provide emotional benefits, particularly for those who have lost an infant.

Challenges

Despite the benefits, milk banking faces several challenges. These include the high cost of processing donated milk, the lack of awareness about milk banks, and the need for more research to establish guidelines for the safe and effective use of donated human milk.

See Also

• Breastfeeding
• Infant nutrition
• Human Milk Banking Association of North America

External Links

• Human Milk Banking Association of North America