Bengaluru: Medical experts across the city have called for the need for a breast milk bank to help babies who are born prematurely or if their mothers are unable to provide them milk.
Dr R. Premlatha of Vani Vilas hospital said around 200 babies are referred to the hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care unit in a month. “On day one we give them IV fluid, but subsequently we need to start oral fluids and that is when we need breast milk and we do not know where to get it. For this very reason we need a breast milk bank,” she said.
Dr Kishore Kumar of Cloudnine Group of Hospitals said, “The protective value is much higher for breast milk. And, there are a lot of mothers whose body do not produce enough milk when the baby is born, as they sometimes take a week to ten days and sometimes the mother dies while giving birth. Milk bank is also required for premature babies.”
Dr Sahana K, Obstetrician and Gynecologist at Medikoe said if a mother does not enough milk then they rely on top feed depending on the weight and other complications. A milk bank would really be helpful in such cases, she added.
However, medical experts have also pointed out that there are many roadblocks in setting up such a bank.
Dr Srinivas of Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences said, “Where will we find donors? Many mothers are hesitant despite producing excess milk, hence we need to educate new mothers and expectant parents about the whole idea and how it would help someone else. Because, undoubtedly breastfeeding gives children the best start in life, as it provides immunological protection and critical nutrients.”
