Despite calls for breast milk donations for babies in Haiti, some rescue officials are saying that the donations aren’t needed. It’s a bit confusing.
The Human Milk Banking Association of North America, La Leche League International and other breastfeeding organizations, as well as parenting blogs, sent out the call to breastfeeding mothers that the donations were needed in Haiti. However, groups like the Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders are saying they never asked for the milk. Meanwhile, sites like International Breast Milk Project are still asking for donations for Haiti as of today.
Read more about the breast milk donation confusion at msnbc: Call for breast milk donations in Haiti goes bust.
It seems that breast milk just doesn’t fare well in emergency situations, and formula is currently being substituted instead in Haiti when there’s a need. According to msnbc, donated breast milk that isn’t used in Haiti will be diverted back for use in the US and Canada.
Women wishing to donate breast milk for use closer to home can still donate to milk banks. Donated breast milk is helpful for premature infants and for infants of mothers who can’t breastfeed.
According to Human Milk Banking Association of North America, you should contact your nearest milk bank to find out if you’re eligible to donate breast milk. Milk donors are screened in a similar method as blood donors. Milk donors must be non-smokers.
For more information on donating breast milk (that will be used somewhere, if not Haiti!), please visit HMBANA.org.
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Post from: Blisstree