Report: Kiwi Mothers Create Breast-Milk Bank For Babies

Breastfeeding mothers have created their own way of sharing breast milk to ensure New Zealand infants grow healthier and happier.

A Facebook page called “Eats on Feets” has recently been set up to support “mother to mother milk sharing” after New Zealand breast milk banks were shutdown in the 1980's.

Miss Favel and Baby Millie – Photo belongs to Alex Favel.

Co-founder of information sharing group Mother's Milk NZ Emma Ryburn, 34, says breast milk banks were closed due to the transfer of HIV, hepatitis B and C, and the cytomegalovirus infection through breast milk.

She says in Australia breast milk is now screened similarly to donor blood for viruses.

“Despite this, New Zealand has been slow to reopen their breast milk banks compared to Europe, United States and the United Kingdom.”

Ashburton mother Alex Favel, 22, says a breast milk bank would have made caring for her premature baby much easier.

“Having people who were there to donate would be fantastic. It would have been a lot better if Millie didn't have to go onto formula so early.”

Baby Millie, now 2, was born after 24 weeks in the womb – giving her a 40 per cent chance of survival. Miss Favel struggled to produce the amount of milk required to nourish Millie during this time.

“Due to the stress of being in NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) and living an hour away from Christchurch Hospital my milk dried up fast and I couldn't express for very long.

“We had tiny half bottles and quarter filled bottles compared to massive full bottles other mothers produced.

“It was quite hard really. The hospital put a lot of pressure on me because they knew how good it was for Millie.

“When you're up there all you wanna do is spend time with your baby. It got quite stressful. I was worried about her not getting enough.”

According to UNICEF the best food for any baby whose own mother's milk is not available is the breast milk of another healthy mother. When this is not available a formula substitute should be used.

However, UNICEF also says that infants who are fed formula are at a greater risk of death and disease than breastfed infants.

Ms Ryburn says artificial formulas often form hard curds in the infant's stomach which increases the amount of energy needed for digestion.

“For the infant this means less energy is being spent on brain development and growth.”

She says breast milk is unmatched by any commercial formula and provides unique protection from infections.

The Ministry of Health's website says they're committed to protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding in line with WHO and UNICEF's direction.

Ms Ryburn says a global policy, signed by New Zealand in 1989, was designed as a standard for maternity units to follow.

The policy, called the ‘Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding’, includes a step that states countries will “give newborn infants no food or drink other than breast milk, unless medically indicated”.

Ms Ryburn says New Zealand has signed this agreement and includes the standards in its own maternity policies.

“However, it does not offer an alternative to formula, and therefore cannot completely adhere to the policy it is signed to.”

She says even though the ministry recognises that donor milk is better nutritionally than formula, it is pretending it doesn't have to provide breast milk banks.

According to Mother's Milk NZ if a sick baby is fed breast milk it will return to normal health 25 per cent faster, reducing it's stay in hospital by 15 days.

Ms Ryburn says the Facebook page for Mother's Milk NZ is fundraising for a pasteuriser to start a breast milk bank in Auckland.

“We're looking for 12 NICU graduates to have family photos taken for thank you cards to sell. We're also looking for help to make a CD with New Zealand artists for mothers to breast feed to.

“I believe that if there is already a starter of funds then Government and DHBs might be easier to sway.”

See also:
• Eats on Feets Facebook page
  http://www.facebook.com/eatsonfeetsnz?sk=wall
• Mother's Milk NZ
  http://www.mothersmilk.org.nz/