The first regular shipment of human milk donated by lactating women across the Lower Mainland has now arrived at Surrey Memorial and Royal Columbian hospitals for sick and premature babies in their neonatal intensive care units.
Donor milk is processed at the Provincial Milk Bank at B.C. Women's Hospital, which has expanded its capacity after Fraser Health last year opened new human milk collection depots across the region.
Donations are now taken at all health units, in Burnaby, New Westminster, Port Moody, Delta (two sites), Maple Ridge, Surrey (four sites), White Rock, Langley, Mission, Abbotsford, Agassiz, Chilliwack and Hope.
Premature babies that are fed formula instead of human breast milk are at greater risk of certain infections, including a devastating bowel disease. They often have compromised immune systems, underdeveloped stomachs or other conditions that make them more vulnerable.
Some moms struggle to provide milk or aren't permitted to because of illness or medications they use.
Lactating moms who have been screened are encouraged to collect extra breast milk at home, freeze it and donate it.
Pasteurized donor milk has active beneficial properties for babies, providing them with antibodies to fight disease and infection, but officials say the supply never matches the demand.
"In the past, this demand has been difficult to meet but now families will have expanded access to safe, pasteurized donor human milk," said provincial milk bank coordinator Frances Jones.
For more information see www.bcwomensmilkbank.ca.