NEW MUMS from across Worcestershire are being encouraged to join others donating their surplus human milk to help the poorly babies at Birmingham Women’s Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and beyond.
The second city’s specialist centre has been home to a Human Milk Bank for more than 70 years and its ‘Donate from home’ bundles, which include expert support and drivers that pick up donations from donors’ homes have made things even easier.
Last year, the hospital received 7,870 litres of milk, donated by 138 different donors, that has helped support babies on its Neonatal intensive Care Unit, along with others across the country.
Kayleigh Norton, aged 28, mum of baby Rowan and five-year-old Logan, said: “It was easy from home, all you need is a clear blood test, no tattoos within the last 12 months, no drinking or smoking and you’re all set to donate. It’s a really rewarding thing to do and I’m quite proud. Being able to donate from home made it much easier with my two young boys.”
“I thought it would be a nice idea to donate. I already had an extra supply after Rowan was born. It was an easy process – the hospital would send bottles through the post and delivery drivers would drive to me to collect them.
“Last month I donated 18 litres, so pretty much nine litres every fortnight to help babies across the UK’s Neonatal units and I still had enough for my little ones.”
This ‘Donate from Home’ bundles makes making donations more convenient and it’s a simple way for women to offer surplus milk to help others.
Dr Gemma Holder, Consultant Neonatologist and Women’s Hospital Milk Bank Lead, said: “Donations are crucial and we’re so grateful to those who make them. They play a huge part in providing the necessary care for our unwell babies in our neonatal unit. As well as having nutritional benefits for babies, donor milk can positively impact the wellbeing of mums during what can be an incredibly stressful time when their babies are being cared for in hospital.”
Dr Holder added: “It takes a while for mums’ milk to come in and some are tired and in pain. Lots of our mothers are also unwell too, which is sometimes why their babies are born prematurely. “We use the donor milk to fill the gaps, usually of around two weeks, until our new mums can provide enough of their own. This can offer a real boost at such an important time.”
Anyone who has any questions or is interested in becoming a donor should contact the Women’s Hospital’s expert team either by calling 0121 335 8245 or e-mail [email protected].
