New human milk bank to help babies across region
A NEW human milk donor bank has opened its doors to support babies across the East Midlands.
This is the result of a partnership between The East Midlands Freewheelers and Human Milk Foundation (HMF) which aims to provide donor human milk to newborns.
It will first be pasteurised by the Hearts Milk Bank before being transported to the new hub at Langley Mill.
The milk will then go to little ones in hospital, neonatal intensive care units and families at home across the region, transported by the East Midlands Freewheelers.
The hub was opened last week by Amber Valley MP Nigel Mills.
Neil Tilley, managing director of the East Midlands Freewheelers, said: “We are looking forward to helping more families to receive and donate human milk and to growing the hub and its reach in the coming years.”
The hub aims to give sick and premature babies a source of safe, screened donor milk, something they would otherwise not have access to.
It will also support mothers who, for various reasons, may not be able to produce milk for their child.
Human milk helps the most vulnerable babies protect themselves against potentially life-threatening infections. It also helps with their growth and development.
Dr Natalie Shenker, of the Human Milk Foundation, said: “Everyone at the HMF is committed to building a truly equitable service, where families can donate and access donor human milk, free at the point of need, wherever they live.
“We are very proud to be opening the East Midlands hub and to supporting local hospitals and families with this essential service.”
The new initiative also hoped to encourage local new mothers, who are producing more milk than they need, to donate it at the hub. Potential donors will be screened for infections and undergo blood tests before given the all-clear to provide milk.
East Midlands Freewheelers are a group of volunteers who provide vital services to the NHS completely free of charge. They deliver human breast milk, blood, medical supplies and equipment anywhere in the country.