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Human Milk Bank at PGIMER a boon for preterm babies
Compassionate donors have provided the vulnerable infants, born before completing 37 weeks of gestation, with the much-needed nourishment; preterm babies often require special medical care and attention
The Human Milk Bank at Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), which is celebrating Breastfeeding Week from August 1 to 7, has been a blessing for preterm babies.
Ever since it opened its doors at PGIMER’s Nehru Hospital in February 2022, the bank has collected 500 litres of human milk over the course of one-and-a-half years.
Compassionate donors have provided the vulnerable infants, born before completing 37 weeks of gestation, with the much-needed nourishment. These babies often require special medical care and attention.
Neonatology professor and milk bank founder Dr Kanya Mukhopadhyay said babies who are born preterm should be fed with expressed breast milk through an orogastric tube and later with a spoon. Once the baby matures enough, they can be breastfed.
Providing further details, Kanya said more than 700 women had donated their milk to the Human Milk Bank so far, and around 450 recipients have benefitted from it.
Amant, a mother of a premature baby, said, “Due to some feeding issues, my baby received milk from the bank. I am grateful and content that this initiative supported my child during a critical stage. Once I recover from my problem, I am eager to donate milk to help other babies in need.”
According to Kanya, both the donor and recipient’s consent is obtained before donation. Additionally, counselling is conducted to obtain parental consent. Kanya explained that the milk is gathered from new mothers in the ward only with newborn babies. After undergoing screening, it is pasteurised using a machine and then stored at -20° C in the refrigerator. The stored milk remains usable for up to three months.
Speaking of some of the challenges being faced in running the bank, Kanya said they were encountering a shortage of staff and insufficient space.
Currently, there is no dedicated staff allocated solely for the bank; four lactation counsellors are available but with additional responsibilities. Moreover, the limited space for the bank hinders its optimal functioning. Emphasising that breast milk is the optimal and most suitable feeding choice for any baby, she said it offers protection against infections, provides comprehensive nutrition up to six months of age, enhances intelligence, and lowers the risk of obesity and diabetes later in life.
“For maintaining proper lactation, mothers require sufficient nutrition, hydration, and rest. Breastfeeding also helps mothers to reduce weight, preventing breast cancer and ovarian cancer,” she added.
Further, Dr Kanya emphasised that breastfeeding must be initiated within the first hour of birth, regardless of it being a vaginal delivery or a caesarean section.
“Most mothers are able to breastfeed successfully however some mothers may need extra help to initiate and maintain breastfeeding. Health care workers/lactation counsellors can help the mother to breastfeed successfully,” she added.
