ANSWER:
NICU Breast Milk Experience
Banked milk has become a popular trend among mothers who wish to breastfeed exclusively but cannot produce enough milk on their own. Banked milk is a safe alternative to milk sharing, posing a risk of infection. Banked milk is also nutritionally tested and can be tailored to the needs of preterm and term babies (North Texas Mother Milk Bank, 2022). Although it is more expensive than milk sharing, it is a more reliable option for mothers who want to ensure their babies get the best nutrition. Banked milk is donated by other mothers and has undergone strict testing for disease and illness. The milk is then pasteurized and frozen to ensure safety. Milk from donations is also nutritionally tested to ensure that it meets the needs of preterm and term babies. Banked milk is becoming more popular as it is a more reliable option for mothers who want to ensure their babies get the best nutrition. Although it is more expensive than milk sharing, the benefits of banked milk make it worth the cost. In Texas, the Mother’s Milk Bank of North Texas provides milk to mothers in need. This milk bank provides a safe and reliable source of milk for mothers who want to ensure their babies get the best possible nutrition.
According to North Texas Mother Milk Bank (2022), mothers must undergo a screening process that includes a health history, physical exam, and blood test to donate milk to the Mother’s Milk Bank. Mothers donating must also agree to abstain from alcohol, tobacco, and drugs. The milk must be collected in sterile containers and stored in a freezer until the milk bank picks it up. Any mother who meets the screening requirements and agrees to abstain from alcohol, tobacco, and drugs is eligible to donate milk. Adopting banked milk has become a popular trend among mothers who desire to breastfeed exclusively but cannot produce enough milk on their own. Banked milk is a safe alternative to milk sharing, posing a risk of infection. Banked milk is also nutritionally analyzed and can be adjusted to the needs of preterm and term newborns. Although it is more expensive than milk sharing, it is a more trustworthy solution for mothers who want to ensure their babies get the best milk.
References
North Texas Mother Milk Bank, M. M. B. (2022, March). Safety & Quality : What we do. Mothers’ Milk Bank of North Texas. Retrieved October 7, 2022, from https://texasmilkbank.org/what-we-do/safety-quality.html
QUESTION:
I have run into this situation with family members wanting to provide their breast milk in the event the mother was not producing enough, or in the very sad case a mother did not survive childbirth or surgery. Sharing milk can be a cultural trait as well. Unfortunately in a hospital setting milk sharing is not allowed, and as a nurse from infection control standpoint, our policy is to discourage the use of shared milk after discharge.
That being said, the NICU I work for offers banked milk. After parents give signed consent for donated milk it can be provided to babies preterm and term babies. Donated breast milk is provided by mothers that have had strict testing for disease, illness, and medications and then goes through a pasteurization process and freezing process to ensure safety to all babies. Milk provided from donations is nutritionally tested and separated by calorie as well as preterm and term milk (Mothers Milk Bank of North Texas, 2022).
Banked milk has become an up and coming trend for mothers that would like to exclusively offer breast milk and are unable to produce enough for proper nutrition. Running at about $6.00-7.00/oz this trend can become quite expensive for mothers at home however this is a safe compromise to milk sharing.
Please review the information on the Mother's Milk Bank Website, the videos on the website offer a great perspective to mothers in need and mothers willing to donate.
Write a note on this topic using the reference provided below
Reference
Mother's Milk Bank of North Texas. (2022), What We Do. Retrieved from
https://texasmilkbank.org/what-we-do/safety-quality.html
