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DonatingBreast Milk

Your questions answered

Birmingham Women's Health CareNHS Trust

Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TG

Telephone: 0121 472 1377Fax: 0121 627 2602

If you would like more information aboutdonating please contact the BirminghamMilk Bank.

Staff there will be happy to answer any questionsyou may have.

Birmingham Women’s HospitalMilk BankMetchley Park RoadEdgbastonBirminghamB15 2TG

Tel: 0121 472 1377 Ext: 4040

Additional Information about milk bankingcan be found from the United KingdomAssociation of Milk Banking (UKAMB).

The Milk BankQueen Charlotte’s and Chelsea HospitalDu Cane RoadLondonW12 0HS

Email: ukamb@science-network.comwww.ukamb.org

UKAMB is an official registered charity (number 1083892)

Saves Babies Lives

Due to the construction of the newUniversity Hospital, during 2005there will be changes to the roadlayout, positioning of bus stopsand car parks. We apologise for

any inconvenience.

What is a Human Milk Bank?

There are approximately 15 Milk Bank services inthe UK. They collect, screen, process, store anddistribute Donated Human Breast Milk (DBM). Thisis used to feed premature or sick babies.

Why use Donor Breast Milk ratherthan formula milk?

Research has demonstrated an improved outcomein those infants fed with human DBM including asignificant reduction in the risk of infection (due toits special anti-infective properties).

Who can donate breast milk?

Mothers who are breast feeding their own babyand find they have milk surplus to their baby'srequirements.

When should I contact the MilkBank?

If you think you would like to donate your breastmilk the best time to contact the Milk Bank is assoon as you have established breast feeding withyour baby and you find you have excess milk.

You can then donate milk until your baby is sixmonths old. You must however enrol with the MilkBank before your baby is four months old.

What happens when I contact theMilk Bank?

When you contact the Milk Bank you will be askedsome questions regarding your health and life-style, and asked to complete a questionnaire.

There are certain reasons that will exclude you frombecoming a donor e.g. smoking or taking mostprescribed medications.

You will also be required to have some blood teststo ensure that infections or viruses will not bepassed on via your milk.

You may have been tested for some of theseinfections during your pregnancy but the Milk Bankwill need to repeat them.

How much milk will the Milk Bankexpect from donors?

Small or sick babies benefit from even the smallestquantities of breast milk, therefore, you can donatewhatever you can. Each mother produces differentamounts at different times and you will find thatthe amount you are able to express varies from dayto day.

How do I express?In order to express you will need:• A breast pump• Some form of sterilising equipment• Sterilised milk bottles

(for storage of the expressed milk)• A freezer for milk storage

Staff from the Milk Bank will try to visit each donorindividually to advise them. Sterile milk bottles willbe provided by the Milk Bank, they may also beable to provide you with a hand expressing pump.

Who receives the milk?

Most DBM is used as an alternative to formula milkto feed babies in Neonatal Intensive Care Unitswhen a mother's own breast milk is insufficient involume or unavailable (due to maternal illness orgeographical separation of mother and baby).

DBM is not only used at the Birmingham Women'sHospital but is sent to other hospitals within theWest Midlands and throughout the country.

Does the Milk Bank have a policy onconfidentiality?

Yes. Any information held by Milk Bank about youis strictly confidential and will not be shared withanyone without your prior consent.

Due to confidentiality we are also unable todisclose which babies you are helping by donatingyour breast milk.

For further information about becoming adonor please refer to the page overleaf ofthis leaflet.

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