Breastfeeding week: How public are impacted by the recently launched human milk banks

Chennai: Despite regularly popping lactating tablets, Sunitha Kumar (30), who gave birth to a preemie, could not produce milk. It was only after her baby developed Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC), a common intestinal disease among preemies, that she decided to depend on another mother in the neighborhood for breast milk.

On the contrary, Fathima Ali from Purusawalkam, who delivered a stillborn baby, developed lumps in her breasts due to excess milk production. Had Sunitha and Fathima been aware of the existing human milk banks in the city, the health of the mother and the child would not have been affected.

“I had google-searched milk banks, however, I did not find much. My Neonatologist too, was unaware of how to avail milk from the banks. I was told that it involves a lot of procedures,” Sunitha told DC.

Though a year has passed since the inauguration of seven milk banks in the state, a large section of the public is unaware of the same. Shockingly, mothers are misguided over the facility as they express ignorance over various aspects. “I was aware of a bank in a government hospital, but I wasn’t sure whether to trust it. So I started feeding my child formula milk,” said Vijaya Kumari of Ekkaduthangal.

Wiping off speculation, pediatricians say that a number of medical procedures are followed to maintain the quality of milk. State Coordinator of National Rural Health Mission, Dr Niku Srinivsan said that a minimum of 15 mothers donate milk at the Egmore Children’s Hospital. “It is only after the mother’s consent that we collect the milk through breast pumps. The milk is condensed and is sent to microbiological labs to rule out viral and bacterial infections. If infections are found, it is discarded,” he said.

Based on data received from the Egmore Children’s Hospital, it was found that each mother donates over three to four times which benefits over 50 to 60 babies. The hospital, on a daily average, receives 1 to 1.5 litres of milk.

‘Breastfeeding centres not enough

Despite the fact that the state boasts of housing around 352 breastfeeding centres, women feel the need for more of the same to be launched.

“It is a great initiative that Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa had taken to launch such centres at various places, including bus stops. However, I hope that more such centres are launched soon, especially in local train stations. Even if I try to feed my baby in the ladies’ compartment of the local train, I get looks from women, old and young alike,” said Meenakshi Mohan of Taramani.

“Offices, both corporate and government, should be kind enough to open breastfeeding centres allowing the mother to be close to her baby and get the happiness of feeding her own child,” said Josephine, an activist.’