Mothers’ Views on Donor Milk and Human Milk Banks

Human milk banks play an essential role by providing human milk to infants who would otherwise not be able to receive human milk. The largest group of recipients are premature infants who derive very substantial benefits from it. Human milk protects premature infants from necrotizing enterocolitis and from sepsis, two devastating medical conditions. Milk banks collect, screen, store, process, and distribute human milk. Donating women usually nurse their own infants and have a milk supply that exceeds their own infants' needs. Donor women are carefully selected and are screened for HIV-1, HIV-2, human T-cell leukemia virus 1 and 2, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and syphilis. In the milk bank, handling, storing, processing, pooling, and bacterial screening follow standardized algorithms. Heat treatment of human milk diminishes anti-infective properties, cellular components, growth factors, and nutrients. However, the beneficial effects of donor milk remain significant and donor milk is still highly preferable in comparison to formula.

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Turkish Women’s Beliefs Concerning Human Milk Banking

Journal of Human Lactation ◽

10.1177/08903344211037989 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 089033442110379

Author(s):

Suzi Özdemir ◽

Sena Dilek Aksoy ◽

Gaye Soyaslan Akdağ

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Human Milk ◽

Disease Transmission ◽

Online Survey ◽

Public Awareness ◽

Turkish Women ◽

Donor Milk ◽

Milk Bank ◽

Milk Banking ◽

Milk Banks

Background: A donor milk bank provides an alternative source of human milk for mothers who cannot breastfeed or provide their own milk. Although wet-nursing is a common practice, there is currently no donor milk bank in Turkey. Research Aims: The aims of our study were (1) to determine the knowledge and opinions of Turkish women in regard to donor milk banking; and (2) to raise awareness of donor milk banking. Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional descriptive study, in which the data were collected with an online survey consisting of 22 questions. The link to the online survey was distributed through the social media accounts of the researchers, with a statement inviting women aged 18–64, who were literate and actively using social media, to participate in the survey. There were 648 female participants. Results: Of those who responded to the questionnaire, 54.1% had not previously given birth, and 54.2% had heard about donor milk banks before. The implementation of donor milk banks in Turkey was desired by 56.4% of the participants, and 50.8% of the participants considered donating their milk. It was determined that the reasons why the women did not want to benefit from donor milk banks were the risk of disease transmission to the baby and the possibility of their child marrying his or her milk sibling in the future. Conclusion: It appears that Turkish women lack information about donor milk banking. We recommend public awareness activities to be organized concerning donor milk banking.

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“It’s more than milk, it’s mental health”: A case of online human milk sharing

10.21203/rs.3.rs-96628/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Amanda J Wagg ◽

Alex Hassett ◽

Margie Callanan

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Human Milk ◽

Support Groups ◽

Positive Impact ◽

Polycystic Ovary ◽

Online Support ◽

Breastfeeding Support ◽

Human Donor ◽

Donor Milk ◽

Milk Banks

Abstract Aim: To produce a single case example of an online breastfeeding support group use, through one mother’s experiences of seeking human donor milk online. Background: Milk sharing is not a new concept and occurs today via regulated human milk banks and unregulated online milk sharing groups. Exploring and understanding how, and why, mothers use these peers to peer milk sharing groups, is a vehicle to understanding how breastfeeding mothers can be tangibly supported online, adding to the literature on peer milk sharing, from a recipient’s perspective. Method: This is a qualitative, exploratory study observing the attitudes, thoughts, and feelings of one mother who is seeking human donor milk through online groups. A single key case was identified, and the participant was asked to document thoughts and feelings as she searched for milk online. A telephone interview after two months, and online page activity from www.humanmilk4humanbabies.Facebook.com was captured for the week following the interview. The results were presented in a chronological and linear analytical approach adopting pattern matching.Results: ‘Abbi’ is a mother who has Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and subsequent low milk supply and sought donor breast milk online. Online support groups introduced her to donor milk sharing, which not only supported her breastfeeding but supported her own mental health. Abbi talks of the need to build a trusting relationship with her donor, due to the lack of regulation, and the positive impact it had for her and ‘Lucas’, her baby. Conclusion: Considering milk sharing groups simply as tangible online support ignores the complexities around Abbi’s decision to use human donor milk. Peer milk sharing online is an option for mothers, but it is surrounded by stigma amongst other mothers, professionals, and even within pro breastfeeding support groups.“Tweetable abstract”: Milk sharing is not a new concept and occurs today via regulated human milk banks and unregulated online milk sharing groups. How and why do mothers obtain breastmilk online?

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The Effect of Pasteurization on the Antioxidant Properties of Human Milk: A Literature Review

Antioxidants ◽

10.3390/antiox10111737 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. 1737

Author(s):

Hannah G. Juncker ◽

Eliza J. M. Ruhé ◽

George L. Burchell ◽

Chris H. P. van den Akker ◽

Aniko Korosi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Literature Review ◽

Human Milk ◽

Antioxidant Properties ◽

Donor Milk ◽

Alternative Donor ◽

Short And Long Term ◽

Preterm Born ◽

Milk Banks ◽

Mother’S Own Milk

High rates of oxidative stress are common in preterm born infants and have short- and long-term consequences. The antioxidant properties of human milk limits the consequences of excessive oxidative damage. However, as the mother’s own milk it is not always available, donor milk may be provided as the best alternative. Donor milk needs to be pasteurized before use to ensure safety. Although pasteurization is necessary for safety reasons, it may affect the activity and concentration of several biological factors, including antioxidants. This literature review describes the effect of different pasteurization methods on antioxidant properties of human milk and aims to provide evidence to guide donor milk banks in choosing the best pasteurization method from an antioxidant perspective. The current literature suggests that Holder pasteurization reduces the antioxidant properties of human milk. Alternative pasteurization methods seem promising as less reduction is observed in several studies.

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Operating of human milk banks in Poland – practical recommendations

Postępy Neonatologii ◽

10.31350/postepyneonatologii/2018/1/pn2018003 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 (1) ◽

pp. 59-64 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Aleksandra Wesołowska ◽

Beata Pawlus ◽

Urszula Bernatowicz-Łojko ◽

Maria Katarzyna Borszewska-Kornacka

Keyword(s):

Human Milk ◽

Milk Banks ◽

Practical Recommendations

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DIAGNÓSTICOS DE ENFERMAGEM DE MULHERES NUTRIZES ATENDIDAS NO BANCO DE LEITE HUMANO

Enfermagem em Foco ◽

10.21675/2357-707x.2019.v10.n1.1396 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Nathália Carolina Tomazelli Crespo ◽

Rosimere Ferreira Santana ◽

Valdecyr Herdy Alves ◽

Audrey Vidal Pereira ◽

Giovanna Rosario Soanno Marchiori ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Human Milk ◽

Sleep Pattern ◽

No Donors ◽

Tissue Integrity ◽

Disturbed Sleep ◽

Nursing Diagnosis ◽

Milk Bank ◽

Las Mujeres ◽

Human Milk Bank ◽

Milk Banks

Objetivo: conhecer o perfil de Diagnósticos de Enfermagem em mulheres nutrizes atendidas no Banco de Leite Humano. Metodologia: estudo descritivo, com 30 mulheres atendidas no Banco de Leite Humano entre doadoras e não doadoras. Os dados foram coletados nos meses de março a maio de 2012. A análise se deu por meio de estatística descritiva. Resultados: os diagnósticos foram descritos para dois grupos: Não doadoras: Disposição para conhecimento melhorado (100,0%), Risco de infecção (80,9%), Integridade Tissular prejudicada (80,9%), Padrão de sono prejudicado (76,1%), Conhecimento deficiente (66,6%), Ansiedade (52,3%); Em Doadoras: Padrão de sono prejudicado (77,7%) e Ansiedade (55,5%). Conclusão: a taxonomia diagnóstica encontra-se de acordo com a população estudada. Validou-se a necessidade do uso dessa tecnologia como um sistema padrão de linguagem.Descritores: Bancos de leite; Diagnóstico de enfermagem; Cuidados de enfermagem; Saúde da mulher; Aleitamento materno.NURSING DIAGNOSIS IDENTIFIED IN WOMEN AT THE HUMAN MILK BANKObjective: to know the profile of Nursing Diagnosis in women hosted in the Human Milk Bank. Methodology: descriptive study, with 30 women attended at the Human Milk Bank between donors and no donors. Data were collected from March to May 2012. The analysis was done through simple descriptive statistics. Results: diagnosis were described for two groups: No donors: Readiness for enhanced knowledge (100.0%), Risk for infection (80.9%), Impaired tissue integrity (80.9%), Disturbed sleep pattern (76.1%), Deficient knowledge (66.6%), Anxiety (52.3%); In Donors: Disturbed sleep pattern (77.7%) and Anxiety (55.5%). Conclusion: the diagnostic taxonomy is in agreement with the studied population. The need to use this technology as a standard language system was validated.Descriptors: Milk banks; Nursing diagnosis; Nursing care; Women’s health; Breastfeeding.ENFERMERÍA DE DIAGNÓSTICO IDENTIFICADOS EN MUJERES ASISTIDA EN BANCO DE LECHE HUMANAObjetivo: conocer el perfil de los diagnósticos de enfermería de las mujeres dio la bienvenida al Banco de Leche Humana. Metodology: estúdio descriptivo, con 30 mujeres atendidas enel Banco de Leche Humana entre los donantes y no donantes. Los datos fueron recolectados entre marzo y mayo de 2012. El análisis se realizó utilizando estadísticas descriptivas simples. Resultados: los diagnósticos han sido descritos por dos grupos: No donantes: Disposición para mejorar los conocimientos (100%), Riesgo de infección (80,9%), Deterioro de la integridade cutánea (80,9%), Trastorno del patrón de sueño (76, 1%), Conocimientos deficientes (66,6%), Ansiedad (52,3%); Em Donantes: Trastorno del patrón de sueño (77,7%) y Ansiedad (55,5%). Conclusión: la taxonomía diagnóstica es función de la población estudiada. Han verificado la necesidad de la utilización de esta tecnología como un sistema estándar de lenguaje.Descriptores: Bancos de leche; Diagnóstico de enfermería; Atención de enfermería; Salud de lamujer; Lactancia materna.

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High-Temperature Short-Time and Holder Pasteurization of Donor Milk: Impact on Milk Composition

Life ◽

10.3390/life11020114 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 114

Author(s):

Diana Escuder-Vieco ◽

Juan M. Rodríguez ◽

Irene Espinosa-Martos ◽

Nieves Corzo ◽

Antonia Montilla ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Temperature ◽

Human Milk ◽

Milk Composition ◽

Donor Human Milk ◽

High Temperature Short Time ◽

Lactose Concentration ◽

C 30 ◽

Milk Banks ◽

Short Time

Holder pasteurization (HoP; 62.5 °C, 30 min) is commonly used to ensure the microbiological safety of donor human milk (DHM) but diminishes its nutritional properties. A high-temperature short-time (HTST) system was designed as an alternative for human milk banks. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of this HTST system on different nutrients and the bile salt stimulated lipase (BSSL) activity of DHM. DHM was processed in the HTST system and by standard HoP. Macronutrients were measured with a mid-infrared analyzer. Lactose, glucose, myo-inositol, vitamins and lipids were assayed using chromatographic techniques. BSSL activity was determined using a kit. The duration of HTST treatment had a greater influence on the nutrient composition of DHM than did the tested temperature. The lactose concentration and the percentage of phospholipids and PUFAs were higher in HTST-treated than in raw DHM, while the fat concentration and the percentage of monoacylglycerides and SFAs were lower. Other nutrients did not change after HTST processing. The retained BSSL activity was higher after short HTST treatment than that following HoP. Overall, HTST treatment resulted in better preservation of the nutritional quality of DHM than HoP because relevant thermosensitive components (phospholipids, PUFAs, and BSSL) were less affected.

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Why Is Human Milk Donation Absent From the Literature on Philanthropic Giving? The Invisible Female Donor and Her Invisible Gift

Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly ◽

10.1177/08997640211013907 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 089976402110139

Author(s):

Ayelet Oreg ◽

Susan Appe

Keyword(s):

Human Milk ◽

Infant Feeding ◽

Research Note ◽

Care Work ◽

Future Research ◽

Female Donor ◽

Main Factors ◽

Milk Banks ◽

The Invisible

In this research note, we call attention to human milk donation being essentially omitted from the philanthropy literature and bodily gifting research. We focus here on human milk donations for infant feeding through nonprofit milk banks. We argue that its omission is due to two main factors: (a) the incoherence of defining human milk donation and the challenges to its regulation and (b) its consideration as care work and the characteristics of the milk donor identity. We end with avenues for future research in this area.

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