Issued by: The Baby Expo


Donor breastmilk is recognised by health practitioners as a suitable substitute for mother's-own-milk in the prevention of Necrotising Enter Colitis (NEC) and for infants recovering from NEC.

NEC is an acute inflammatory disease occurring in the intestines of premature infants, and it often leads to death. According to paediatricians one of the leading causes of babies contracting NEC is their inability to access breastmilk in the first few days of life. This inability in public care is determined by a number of factors such as; lack of infrastructure and resources to promote lactation, as well as the health of the mother (HIV and associated infections). Pregnant women suffering from HIV/AIDS and associated illnesses often give birth prematurely and in some instances these women die in childbirth, or are too ill to lactate after the birth. Babies born under these circumstances are already developmentally challenged from the womb, with low birth weights and premature digestive tracts, and this in conjunction with a lack of breastmilk means they are at high risk of developing NEC.

SABR redistributes over 100 litres of donor breastmilk per month, with the largest portion of this breastmilk being directed to public hospital facilities. Breastmilk donors are meticulously screened, and a copy of their antenatal HIV test, as well as rapid tests at two-month intervals is required. It is essential that mothers are healthy, have access to a fridge and freezer, and live in a hygienic environment. Volunteers visit the mothers in their homes to facilitate the collection of breastmilk.

Part of the South African Breastmilk Reserve's collection drive is the formulation of The Feed for Life Initiative. This initiative promotes increased co-operation between the public and private health care sectors for the benefit of the less privileged. The initiative encourages the in-hospital harvesting of healthy donor breastmilk while offering mothers an understanding of the importance of breastfeeding, as well as allowing them to partake in a community driven project.

If you are interested in becoming a donor and saving a life then visit iThembaLethu, the Durban Human Milk Bank, at The Baby Expo Durban from the 29th - 31st August 2008 at the ICC. Entrance to the expo is R50 and kids under the age of 10 get in for free. Stasha Jordan, Managing Director of the SABR, will be at the Pampers Preggy Lounge at The Baby Expo Durban, and will be available to answer any questions or queries you may have.

For more information visit www.durbanbabyexpo.co.za.

Visit our PRESS OFFICE: Get seen, touched and tasted at sa's biggest and best parenting expo ever! Everything you need for bumps, babies, toddlers and tots @ the Coca-Cola Dome.- more....

[27 Aug 2008 15:26]

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