One Milk Bank for Scotland.

(Source)

When John was a wee baby I remember my Health Visitor joking that I had such an abundant supply of milk that I should have had triplets. That's what first prompted me look into becoming a breast milk donor. Unfortunately back then the only milk bank in Scotland which is based in Glasgow couldn't accommodate donors as far as Edinburgh so it just wasn't possible.

Since then however, The One Milk Bank for Scotland has expanded & started to accept donors from all over Scotland, thanks to the help of ScotsEVRS (The Scottish Emergency Rider Volunteer Service) who collect donor milk from breastfeeding mothers & deliver it to the One Milk Bank where it can then be distributed throughout Scotland.

Of course, once I had David I was determined to become a donor. If you're already breastfeeding and have a good supply, it's such a simple thing to do but is hugely rewarding. The difference breast milk can make to a premature or ill baby has the potential to be literally lifesaving. But who can be a breast milk donor and what does it involve? Debbie from the One Milk Bank for Scotland has been kind enough to answer a few questions in regards to breast milk donation for Diddle Diddle Dumpling...

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What do you look for in a donor?
There is a screening criteria including consent form and health and lifestyle questionnaire, as well as blood tests for HIV, HTLV, Hepatitis B and C and Syphilis. There are slight differences between milk banks but in general terms baby needs to be under six months when first donating, no smokers in household, limited caffeine and alcohol intake and no or limited medications. I ask donors to commit to expressing on a regular basis usually once a day. Some donors will have surplus milk stored and that may be acceptable for donation as well. You can find out more on the UKAMB website www.ukamb.org.

How do you become a donor?
By contacting the milk bank who will then send out a pack with information, consent form and health and lifestyle questionnaire. Once these are returned the milk bank will provide bottles and labels and organise for blood tests to be done.

What does the process of donating involve?
Committing to expressing regularly, usually once a day and freezing the milk at home. We also ask you to record your freezer temperature once a day.

Where/who does my breast milk go to?
The milk initially comes to the milk bank to be pasteurised and screened. Once the milk is cleared for use it is used to feed sick and pre-term babies in neonatal units throughout Scotland whose own mothers have insufficient milk or are unable to supply their own. We also supply milk for some other babies on request where there is need.

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If you're based in Scotland & interested in becoming a donor, you can have a look at One Milk Bank for Scotland's Facebook page. If you're based elsewhere in the UK, the UKAMB website can point you in the right direction of your closet milk bank.

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