Mother to Mother milk sharing - mothersmilk.org.nz

Mothers Milk the Gift of Life

Mothers own milk is the first choice for any infant, however some mothers have difficulty providing enough of their own breast milk particularly when there babies are born premature.

It can be more difficult for mothers of premature infants to initiate and maintain their milk supply due to stress and especially if they are separated from their babies or they have been ill during pregnancy.

Pasteurised donated breast milk is invaluable for babies in NICU because its gold standard nutrition recommended by WHO and provides unique protection from infections that cannot be replicated. It is up to the parents if they chose to pasturise and will need to do this at home, until we have milk banks across the country.

Premature babies fed breast milk are six times less likely to suffer a life threatening gastrointestinal condition called Necrotising Enterocolitis.
They also spend less time in the neonatal unit saving thousands.

About Milk Donation

Mothers Milk NZ Charity is not legally responsible for any milk sharing arrangements between individuals. This is solely the responsibility of the participants who are milk sharing. It is advised that the recipients check the health status of the donor, and have the right to do so. Antenatal blood tests are not sufficient further testing will be requested (it is recommended to have test results no older than 3 months). Remembering the donor is usually breastfeeding their own child, it is is very unlikely they would want to put their own child's health at risk, let alone another mothers. No milk is to be advertised for sale and and no money is to be exchanged.

If you wish to donate your milk to a Human Milk Bank contact Christchurch Women's Hospital, as they have the only milk bank in operation currently in NZ. We are hoping to change that soon with your help.

Mother to Mother milk sharing

Here is how it works; If you would like to receive donor milk, please post your request on our FACEBOOK wall stating if it is for a short time period while you get your own milk supply up or if it is ongoing, for whatever reason (there is no need to give one if it's upsetting, we all understand). It often is useful to state how old your baby is, especially if they are premature as this milk is higher in calories and immunoglobulins. Then let us know which City/town you are from so people with milk nearby you can see if they can help.

If you want to donate milk either; excess milk from your freezer (no older than 3 months from a fridge freezer & 6 months if kept in a chest freezer) or as an ongoing donation, then likewise post on our wall your intention & location.

Now as we do not pasteurise the milk for you yet or screen it you will need to do this for yourselves.

Blood tests: Mothers receiving donor milk it is advisable that you ask for a current blood test showing infectious disease status such as: Hepatitis B,C, HIV, Syphilis CMV (Cytomegalovirus) and HTLV 1 &2 (Human t-Lymphotrophic Virus 1 & 2). Your initial booking blood test at the beginning of your pregnancy has 3 of these test results. However despite this, it is advisable to get a new test done, as incubation periods could mean a change in status. A test no older than 3 months is more accurate.

Lifestyle screening: You are entitled to ask about lifestyle, ie non smoker, does the donor drink caffeinated and/or alcohol & how much/ often? Does she dump that milk? Is she a healthy eater?
Is there anything she is not eating ie gluten, dairy, peanuts or other allergens that you may need to eliminate also for your baby? Likewise to ease awkwardness mothers donating can just as easily advertise their lifestyle choices to make things easier.i.e "I'm a non smoker and am gluten free" you get the gist.

Transportation: Is either arranged between the families, you could meet somewhere in the middle or at each other's houses or via MMNZ, we use a frozen foods transport company to move milk longer distances. Transport your milk in a chilly bin/polystyrene bin frozen with as much ice or freezer blocks as you can to prevent any melting. Use any partially defrosted breast milk within 24 hours and do not refreeze.

Insure you collect your breast milk hygienically i.e. sterilised expressing equipment, containers and good hand washing. Immediately place milk in the freezer. Do not mix cold and hot milk together and then refreeze. When defrosting do one at a time or as much as you would need in a 24 hr period to prevent wastage.

Happy milk exchanging folks!