Breast milk needed for preemies

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12:55 PM Saturday, February 11, 2012

If you’re a nursing mother, you can help a tiny infant by donating your breast milk to The Mother’s Milk Bank of Ohio (MMBO).

The milk bank, which supplies breast milk to very premature babies, is currently facing a shortage. Children’s Medical Center of Dayton is the regional collection site for the milk bank and collects milk from throughout our area including Middletown, Hamilton and Springfield.

“The medical profession is realizing that breast milk has significant benefits for all babies, but especially premature infants,” says Mari Jo Rosenbauer, lactation consultant and nurse for Dayton Children’s Newborn Intensive Care Unit. “If we use human milk rather than formula, we see a reduction in complications in these babies.”

Rosenbauer says a mother’s own milk is preferred, but if she is unable to provide her own milk, donor milk is the next best option. Breast milk provides protection in the form of live cells, immunoglobins, enzymes and hormones.

On average, Dayton Children’s sees 50 very low birth weight babies each year in her unit.

A few screening steps are involved. The process begins with a simple phone call.

“We get the mother’s health history, and if she’s cleared by her doctor as healthy, we ask that she have a blood test, which is covered by the milk bank,” says Rosenbauer. “Then she can donate milk as long as she is willing.”

Statements from both a mother’s own doctor and her baby’s pediatrician verify that the donation will not have any negative effects on either mom or baby.

“Some of the moms are blessed with an amazing milk supply and they regularly bring in a lot of milk,” says Rosenbauer. “Other mothers have just a little bit of extra but want to help other babies.”

The Milk Bank supplies storage containers for the donated milk, which is frozen and stored at Dayton Children’s. It’s then sent to the milk bank in Columbus, where it is pasteurized and distributed to hospitals throughout Ohio — and beyond — when it’s needed.

Moms who are currently lactating are asked to consider becoming donors. Mothers who participate are asked to donate at least 200 ounces of milk.

There is no special requirement for bereaved mothers.

Those willing to help can call Rosenbauer at (937) 641-3040.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2440 or MMoss@Dayton DailyNews.com.

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