Human Milk Banking 101

Human Milk Banking is not new. In fact, it’s been around since the early 1900’s. But now, it faces many more challenges. Pathogens that may not present a threat to an adult could prove lethal to an unprepared newborn immune system. It is essential to screen for and eliminate any possible source of infection between the stages of donating breast milk up to the point of administering it to a patient, in much the same way as blood banking is done.

It is an established fact that the optimal source of nutrition for babies up to the first six months of life is breast milk. It provides a complex multitude of benefits that no alternative source of nutrition can provide, especially for development and the build-up of the immune system.

In the case of premature infants this is especially important. For sick or very preterm infants it can literally mean the difference between life and death. If the mother’s own milk is not available for whatever reason, it’s essential that breast milk is provided from another source. Enter the Donor Breast Milk initiative!

The donors are lactating mothers who donate their own excess milk for the benefit of others. But we must ensure that the donor milk is safe from any pathogens that may threaten a new baby’s fragile immune system. This milk is processed, pasteurised and tracked from the source right up to the point of administering it to the patient, until such time as the mother can provide her own milk or formula can safey replace it.

In South Africa, donor human milk can not be sold, although a fee for processing and administration can be charged. This is because it is regarded as human tissue and falls under government regulation. Normally Donor Milk is provided by NGO’s, such as the excellent Cape Town-based Milk Matters, or hospitals at a nominal fee to patients.