The Human Milk Bank located at the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH) in Enniskillen is making an urgent appeal for new mums to donate breast milk as stocks are getting low, particularly after the busy Christmas and New Year period.

Elizabeth (Liz) Bailie, coordinator of the Western Trust Milk Bank, said: “We are encouraging new mothers to help with the increase in demand for breast milk and to ensure we have an adequate supply for neonatal units across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

"With our dedicated donors, our peer support mothers and the help of new donors, we will be able to meet the increase in demand for breast milk.

“We are very proud that the SWAH has been successful in achieving the prestigious UNICEF UK Baby Friendly accreditation, and our dedicated midwives and health visitors continue to strive to support new mums to breastfeed.

"Last year we achieved the UNICEF UK Gold Standard Award, which recognises our commitment to breastfeeding.

"We are very grateful to our mums who help us to spread the ‘Milk Bank’ word around, and we find that this is the best way of keeping it prominent in new mum’s minds.”

Liz outlined that between January 1 and December 31, 2021, the Human Milk Bank processed approximately 2,142 litres of donor-expressed milk, and provided approximately 1,427 litres of breast milk to 27 neonatal units in hospitals across Ireland, helping 558 babies – including 92 sets of twins, 11 sets of triplets, and one set of quads.

"Many of the babies who have received donated breast milk required gut surgery or heart surgery," explained Liz.

The Milk Bank Team also expressed their gratitude to the voluntary charity, Blood Bikers: “The distribution of the milk would not be possible without transport help from Blood Bikers, who assist with the transportation of milk to neonatal units throughout Ireland, and we are incredibly grateful for their ongoing support to the Human Milk Bank.”

Liz went on to explain the particular importance of human milk for premature babies, saying: “Human milk contains substances which help the babies fight viruses and bacteria.

"It helps to develop the immature brain, eye and nervous system. Most important for the premature baby, it helps to protect the immature gut from Necrotizing Entero Colitis, a life-threatening condition. Breast milk also helps to protect babies from pneumonia and septicaemia."

She added: “We are very grateful to all the mums who donate milk to the unit, and there is always the need to recruit new donors.

"Donors are required to be registered by the time baby reaches three months old, and once registered, the Milk Bank will accept milk donations up until the sixth month.

"All milk donations received must be in sterile milk bottles when expressed, and donated into the service within three months of expression.

"Donors must be non-smokers, not had a blood transfusion, are not on drugs that pass into breastmilk, and not had a tattoo, body piercing or acupuncture, unless they can provide a letter from their acupuncturist regarding single-use sterile needles, or have visited Malarial countries in the past year, and are in good health.”

If you would like to find out more about the Milk Bank and becoming a donor, contact the Milk Bank at 028 6862 8333, or email TMB.SWAH@westerntrust.hscni.net/

New mums are also encouraged to gain support from their midwife, family health visitor, or infant feeding lead specialist to support them through their infant feeding journey.