The Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (RD&E) has launched a scheme to collect breast milk from new mothers who are back home after their hospital stay. The milk will be available for mothers who are unable to breastfeed.
The hospital announced that it will be screening the milk for bacteria and later the milk would be pasteurized and freezed before storage."Breast milk can be stored in the freezer for up to three months, so we are encouraging women who produce more milk than their own baby needs to donate it because it is a valuable source of nutrients and protection against infection for babies," said sister Karen Read.
Would-be donors have to be non-smoking and alcohol-free. The hospital plans to conduct tests before it accepts donations. Mothers who are HIV positive or are undergoing chemotherapy are not eligible to donate breast milk.
Source-Medindia
RAS/L
