Takin' it to the bank..or, The Bottle Let Me Down.

In other news, I was able to attend a roundtable with a rep. from the(not quite up and running) Northwest Mothers Milk Bank.

Did you know:
-All milk banks are not-for-profit organizations?
-The closest milk bank to us(Northwesterners) is in San Diego?
-There is a protocol ranking so that the neediest babies get milk first. The premie in the NICU will get milk before the adoptive mom.
-Human breast milk is considered a prescription medication.
-Some, but not all, of the nutrients and immunologic factors are lost during pasteurization; it still retains much of its protective value.
-Some hospitals stock BM, so that it is always available regardless of the ability of parents to pay for it.
-Most of the cost of the milk is attributed to processing fees. There is no profit made on the sold milk.

Breastmilk is only accepted up to 6 mos. postpartum, and there is a high need for the milk of preterm babies moms, since the composition is different enough from term mommies milk.

So, donate milk if you can, spread the word to your clients(there is a depot, or drop off site in Newburg, Or for locals), help set up a depot at your local hospital or clinic, or send a donation!
I was able to get a stack of brochures that I am sticking in my charts and giving to each client.
It can mean the difference between life and death for many of the babies receiving it.

NWMMB
3439 N.E. Sandy Blvd. #130
Portland, Oregon, 97232

www.nwmmb.org

(503)297-3664

Also check out Human Milk Bank Association of North America @
www.hmbana.org