Banking Milk, Feeding Baby
Health Related
Research has shown that breastfeeding has health benefits for both moms and their babies. But in some cases, new moms are unable to nurse. That's why two local women have opened what they call "The Mothers' Milk Bank of New England."
Source: WBZ-TV - Breaking News, Weather and Sports for Boston, Worcester and New Hampshire
Definitely a better alternative than cow's milk or formula for the first year. However, there are some people who are a bit squeamish about sharing breast milk. I see that as an obstacle to overcome before it catches on in large scale. It is really not much different than the old practice of having a wet nurse.
I do applaud the basic idea here, mom's milk is always best.
I how ever see some huge issues. Have the donors been scanned for addictions, diseases (hep c or HIV.) Also what about the facilities and storage and milk expiry?
I can see where that once they get rolling the government will get involved and the unpasteurized milk will be disallowed and all the preservatives will get dumped int ad destroy the whole point of this operation.
Does supplemental donor milk instead of formula reduce infections in preterm infants?
The combined incidence of serious infection, the intestinal disease necrotizing enterocolitis and death was similar in very low-birth-weight infants who received either pasteurized donor milk or preterm formula supplementation during their first 10 days of life when their own mother's milk was not sufficiently available, according to an article. Ref. Source 3t.