Project Milk Bank

“Where it is not possible for the biological mother to breast feed, the first alternative, if available, should be the use of human milk from other sources. Human milk banks should be made available in appropriate situations.”

-WHO and UNICEF, 1980

Last week I attended a Human Milk Banking Association of North America Conference in Boston.  I've been discussing milk banking with colleagues and mentors for a while now, but it wasn't until this conference that I really got on the band wagon.  My husband picked me up last Tuesday at BWI and when I got into the car I sheepishly said to him "I think I'm going to start a milk bank."  He knew this had been in the air in the Northern Virginia area for awhile now.  Bless his heart, he just gave me his 'Why am I not surprised?' smile and joined me on board Project Milk Bank.  I'm full of ideas that bring us no revenue, I should clarify with "cost us money", but Marcus just continues to back me up.  I guess I was always meant to be the money giver and he the money maker in this relationship.

There's a key person to this story, her name is Margaret. She's the fuel behind launching this rocket titled Project Milk Bank. Have you ever worked for NASA? Me neither, but I do know that an immense about of time, effort, and man power is behind each launch.  And this launch, for better or for worse, will be no different. 

I've decided to share this journey via Boob for Thought.  Donor human milk does come from boobs after all.  I hope to share the struggles and successes with any readers interested, as well as network with anyone who is interested in joining Project Milk Bank!  So here, my friends, is where this story begins...

 

Key Documents for Project Milk Bank:

• American Academy of Pediatrics, Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk Policy Statement http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;115/2/496
• Human Milk Banking Association of North America, Position Paper on Donor Milk Banking http://www.hmbana.org/downloads/position-paper-donor-milk.pdf

Milk for Haiti

I received the following email today from ILCA:

The Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA), United States Breastfeeding Committee (USBC), International Lactation Consultant Association/United States Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA/USLCA), and La Leche League International (LLLI) are jointly issuing an urgent call for human milk donations for premature infants in Haiti, as well as sick and premature infants in the United States.


This week the first shipment of human milk from mothers in the United States will be shipped to the U.S. Navy Ship “Comfort” stationed outside Haiti. “Comfort” is currently set up with a neonatal intensive care unit and medical personnel to provide urgent care to victims of the earthquake. An International Board Certified Lactation Consultant stationed at the U.S. Navy base in Bethesda, MD is assisting with providing breast pump equipment and supplies to the “Comfort.” Dr. Erika Beard-Irvine, pediatric neonatologist, is on board the “Comfort” to coordinate distribution of the milk to infants in need. HMBANA, USBC, ILCA/USLCA, and LLL are responding to requests to provide milk for both premature infants and at-risk mothers who have recently delivered babies on board the U.S.N.S. Comfort, but an urgent need exists for additional donations.

 

To donate breastmilk Click Here!

 

For more information view this statement from UNICEF.