Link of the Week: Mother’s Milk Bank of New England

I’ve been blessed to have been able to breastfeed all of my 3 children. I remember before Kayla was born, I was unsure about the whole nursing thing. I told myself I would try it and then wean her around 6 months. 6 months came and went, and I was enjoying the nursing relationship I had with her. A new goal was set at 1 year. We hit the 1 year mark but neither of us were ready to wean. The American Academy of Pediatrics also had changed their official policy to say that breastfeeding “is recommended that breastfeeding continue for at least 12 months, and thereafter for as long as mutually desired”. And that’s what we did. I let her take the lead on when she was ready to completely wean.

I must say I have taken for granted the healthy milk to nourish my babies’ growth and development and the bonding and special moments I’ve have had with my babies. It all came so easily for me. I had babies who latched quickly and easily. (What can I say? Hogues are very food-oriented! LOL) But what if I had difficulty? What if any of my babies were born prematurely? What then? How could I give them the very best nutrition if I didn’t have any breastmilk myself?

In comes the donor milk bank. A donor milk bank is a service established for the purpose of collecting, screening, processing and distributing donated human milk to meet the specific medical needs of individuals for whom it is prescribed. Studies show extremely low birth weight premature infants (weighing less than 2.2 pounds) who received breast milk shortly after birth, while still in intensive care units, had greater mental development scores at 30 months than did infants who were not fed breast milk. Studies also reflect lower re-hospitalization of these same infants after their initial discharge. (Source) Donor milk banks meet these and other needs.

Mother’s Milk Bank of New England is one such organization. The Mothers’ Milk Bank of New England is a newly formed non-profit milk bank serving babies, hospitals, and families throughout New England. The Milk Bank will provide screened and pasteurized breastmilk to premature and critically ill babies, primarily in neonatal intensive care units. This milk will be donated by volunteer mothers in the New England region. For sick and premature babies, breastmilk can mean the difference between life and death, and a short or long hospital stay. Studies have shown that premature babies who receive banked milk are far less likely to suffer life-threatening complications and have much faster recovery rates.

To help with their start up costs, Mother’s Milk Bank of New England submitted their organization to Ideablob. On Ideablob, companies share their ideas and the public votes which idea should win $10,000 each month. Mother’s Milk Bank of New England is competing against 8 other businesses/organizations for January’s $10,000.

Here’s where *you* come in… Go to www.ideablob.com. Register (it’s free) to vote for MMBNE Got Milk? submission. It will only take 3 minutes for you to help them win $10,000 by voting for this idea. I voted and even my husband voted! Now it is your turn!

Mother’s Milk Bank of New England is in 2nd place at the moment and there are only a few more days. So spread the word to everyone you know and help premature infants get the head start they need in life!