Breast-milk banks can not meet demand

Breast-milk banks can not meet demand The growing demand for milk in the neonatal intensive care units has led to an impassioned plea for milk banks in America. Donated milk, known as "liquid gold" could save the lives of premature babies whose mothers can not produce milk themselves. However, 1.8 million ounces of milk banks distributed by nonprofit milk throughout the country covers less than one quarter of the 8 million ounces is necessary, as the Association of Human Milk Banks North America. "We need every healthy, breastfeeding mother say, 'I want to donate," said Kim Updegrove, elected president of the association. "Then we would have enough milk for each premature baby. Even a small amount is to save lives." Breast milk is rich in nutrients that help small premature babies grow and antibodies that protect against infection, so that more physicians are prescribing NICU. Now three-quarters of the milk bank orders come from hospitals - about 60 percent last year. "All babies should receive breast milk. However, because it is a scarce resource, which are prioritized for preterm infants in neonatal intensive care with a weight of three pounds or less," Updegrove said. "They respond better in terms of reducing infection rates and shorter hospital stays." But beyond those who need donor breast milk, mothers who know little about milk banks. All potential donors need to do is fill out the paperwork online and provide a blood sample in a local laboratory. Milk banks cover the cost of the selection process and, if approved, shipping costs and pasteurization of milk. "There is no cost to the donor," said Pauline Sakamoto, executive director of Breast Milk Bank in San Jose, California, and former president of the Human Milk Bank of North America. "I just want to keep pumping!" However, the receiver absorbs the cost, paying up to $ 6 per ounce. For Julie Palmonka Tyrone, Pennsylvania, the milk was too rich deposit. When your baby, Miley, was born weighing just three pounds, doctors prescribed donor milk. However, for a week costs $ 750 out of pocket, so Palmonka had to find another source. She took the milk line sites that link exchange needy mothers with mothers who have milk to spare. It now has new freezer in the garage full of breast milk cows, he said. Increased demand could raise costs There are 10 milk banks in the U.S., compared to 30 in the 1980 pre-HIV drugs. The virus closes all banks except one - Bank of the milk of mothers in San Jose. "We've been open for 37 years," Sakamoto said. "And we've never been in this position where we had to cut orders to hospitals." Milk banks for profit, increased demand is bittersweet. On the one hand, reflects the growing recognition of the benefits of human milk. But it also means that the service is becoming more expensive. Instead of sending the one-month supply hospitals, banks are required to send to the milk, as they are available, increased shipping costs. "We're almost to the point of diminishing returns, which would mean having to increase the price," said Sakamoto. The price increase could mean more moms to share online - a practice discouraged by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration because of the risk of the disease. While the 10 milk banks in the Association of Human Milk Banks in North America umbrella has strict standards for donor screening and pasteurization, milk informal exchange sites do not. "While it may be sympathetic to share informally, which is not insurance and legally dangerous," said Updegrove. "You are sharing a body fluid with the child of another person." Share through milk banks, Updegrove said, ensures safe milk comes to babies who need to live. "Human milk is not only better for these children, is absolutely to save lives." Breast-milk banks can not meet demand