Nursing mothers encouraged to donate during human milk drive
LAFAYETTE, Ind. − Responding to an increased need for donations, West Lafayette mother Nicole Parker plans to contribute enough breast milk to feed a newborn for 55 days.
As part of the upcoming breast milk drive, Parker hopes to donate at least 1,925 ounces of saved breast milk. The average newborn, according to https://kidshealth.org, should drink a 2- to 3-ounce bottle of breast milk or formula every two to three hours.
The Milk Bank, self-described as "like a blood bank, but for human milk," has been working to make access to breast milk for babies easier, especially during times of a national formula shortage.
In doing so, the human milk bank is hosting a drive from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Franciscan Health Community Education Center in Lafayette.
Parker is a mother of three, including a 5-month-old. She is making this donation − along with future ones − due to the high amount that she has been able to produce and store.
"I am donating, as of right now, I have 1,925 ounces," Parker said. "That was as of last night so, I'll have a few more I'm sure to add before Tuesday of breast milk...I pumped more than what she eats in a day, so I just was saving, freezing, all the extra and just decided (to donate).
"I saw the milk bank was coming, so I'm like, well, this is a perfect opportunity to empty my deep-freeze..."
Experts have maintained it's safe for babies to consume the breastmilk not obtained from their biological mothers. The Milk Bank ensures the health and safety of the donating mother, the milk and in turn, the babies who will consume the donation, with a series of health tests.
"I registered with The Milk Bank and I did a blood test," Parker said. "So they check for any communicable diseases or anything and do all the precautions with the blood work. And (they do) interviews, paper work and stuff. So they know if it's coming from a healthy mom who is good to donate."
Parker stated that she intends to make future donations to The Milk Bank and other milk drives hosted in the area.
Interested donors will be able to complete the required screening blood test and make their milk donation at the drive.
Pre-registration for Tuesday's event is available at the Franciscan Community Center, themilkbank.org/events/milkdrive or by calling 317-536-1670.
Margaret Christopherson is a reporter for the Journal & Courier. Email her at mchristopherson@jconline.com and follow her on Twitter @MargaretJC2.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Nursing mothers encouraged to donate extra breast milk
