In Mexico, there are 36 human milk banks distributed in 21 institutions, and the one in Durango is among the top 10.
Milk banks in the state have a record of just over 700 donors who have benefited premature babies or newborns who require medical prescriptions, mainly at the Torre Materno-Infantile Hospital, in the past five years.
The Ministry of Health calls for promotion of breastfeeding and donation of human milk to reduce mortality of premature or nursing infants.
Furthermore, they establish that it is a link to combating poverty, eliminating hunger among children, maintaining good health and well-being, “zero hunger and zero malnutrition among infants”.
Erasima Kondo, Health Secretary, emphasized that breastfeeding is the proper and natural way to provide nutritional, immunological and emotional support to the baby, as it provides all the nutrients and antibodies that will keep it healthy, without forgetting that it will allow it to do so. Build a strong emotional bond with the mother.
In this regard, Micaela Rosales Otiveros, in-charge of HMI’s Human Milk Bank, told that there are 2 types of donors; Those whose children are hospitalized and outside donors who are at home and can donate milk. This requires mothers to be healthy, so tests are done to make sure they don’t have any infections, and haven’t had tattoos or piercings in the past 6 months.
It is to be noted that the milk undergoes a process called pasteurization, to ensure that it does not pose any risk or infection for consumption by children.
Regarding the benefits to the mother, breastfeeding helps the uterus or womb to contract faster, which reduces bleeding after delivery, helps reduce the weight gained during pregnancy, as the accumulated fat is lost. Used as energy for milk production, and time is saved as food is always available with prevention of breast, uterine and ovarian cancer.
“It is important that they know about this milk bank, that we have a good flow of donors, and that countless children have been fed, helping them return home healthy in a short amount of time,” he concluded. .
