Looking at her preterm baby kept in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), Mumbai-based Rajni Naik (name changed), a mother admitted in BYL Nair Hospital has started to voluntarily donate milk for other newborn babies besides feeding her own newborn. Naik is one of the 545 women who has donated breast milk for needy newborn babies in Nair Hospital.
While there has been a slow and steady increase in human milk donation by mothers, according to the medical authority, there is yet not enough awareness among the masses.
Dr Sushma Malik, Head of human milk bank at Nair Hospital, said, "The major challenge is that people are not aware of human milk donation. It is not difficult to convince them to donate, but due to lack of knowledge and education, many mothers have queries about how the donated milk will be used and its effect. During pregnancy, women should be made aware of the benefits of human milk donation. There are mother support group counsellors, who counsel them about the donation."
As the Nair Hospital's human milk bank completes one year, the authority states that with a collection of over 1,000 litres in a year, it has helped around 400 newborn babies which are admitted to the NICU ward of the hospital.
The newborn babies who benefit from the milk bank include - preterm babies with low weight, orphans, babies whose mother is admitted to MICU or has died, and babies suffering from illness.
One of the oldest human milk bank located in Sion Hospital helps 3000 to 5000 babies per year. While they have a collection of 3.5 to 4 litre per day, every year they have an increase in the number of repeat donors.
Dr Jayashree Mondkar, Dean of Sion Hospital, said, "Most of the donors are willing to donate, but there is no awareness at the general public level. Since the last four to five years, well-educated mothers are stepping forward. The awareness is slowly increasing through interactions in the mother support groups but there is always a need for more."
She added, "There should be awareness through campaigns. There are a lot of people who want to donate, but due to lack of awareness, they are not able to help."
