Rotary raises funds for milk bank

Rotary Whangārei South is raising funds to support the Whangārei Hospital Te Kotuku maternity unit in setting up a human milk bank.

The target of $32,000 would assist in buying a Sterifed T30 Pasteuriser.

“Donated pasteurised breastmilk is important for feeding sick and premature infants when lactating mothers do not have a sufficient milk supply for their infant’s nutritional needs,” Health New

Zealand Te Whatu Ora midwifery director and service manager Sue Bree said.

“Breastmilk is particularly important for babies who have been born prematurely or are unwell, requiring admission to the neonatal unit,” Bree said.

“These babies have higher nutritional and immunity needs.”

Last year, there were 161 discharges from the neonatal unit with an average stay of 15.1 days.

When a mother’s own milk is not available, a milk bank offers support by providing screened and pasteurised donor milk while the mother is establishing lactation.

“Donated breastmilk is a precious resource gifted by healthy breastfeeding mothers who have breastmilk surplus to their needs,” Bree said.

“Breastfeeding mothers undergo a thorough screening process, and after a health and lifestyle screen, they are required to have blood screening done, too,” president Jenni Moore said.

“We pasteurise the milk and have that available for our sick and preterm babies.” Over the last few months Rotary Whangārei South has raised over $20,000 towards this project.

“Our members are very excited about this opportunity, particularly because it will help vulnerable newborn babies get a better start in life,”