Breast milk bank set up to save premature babies

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A breast milk bank is to be set up in Britain to provide premature babies with the nourishment they need to survive.

There are already 17 donor breast milk banks running across the country by different NHS hospital trusts. However, the Department of Health is drawing up plans to create a new national service of breast milk banks, so that premature babies across the UK can benefit.

A large number of premature babies have survived through drinking donated breast milk, which is donated by 1,000 mums every year, delivering an estimated 5,000 litres to hospitals annually.

Whoever the donor, breast milk is extremely beneficial for newborns as it’s more easily digestible than formula milk and contains antibodies which boost the development of a baby’s immune system.

Numerous studies have shown that breast-fed babies are less likely to suffer sickness, asthma and eczema.

Premature births are on the rise in Britain with one in eight babies – or 82,000 - being born well before their due date. Of those, 22,000 babies require intensive care.

Gillian Weaver of the UK Association for Milk Banking, a charity which works in conjunction with NHS trusts commented: ‘There are some organisations which are supportive, and one milk bank relies on charitable donations but most milk banks in the UK are fully funded by individual NHS trusts.’

She added: 'Sick and premature babies in these hospitals have access to donor milk, but similar babies in another part of town might not.

'I hope the NICE guideline will facilitate the future development of regional services and hopefully eventually a national and truly equitable service.'

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Monday 1 December 2008

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