Breast Milk Banks In India That New Moms Should Be Aware Of

Human milk bank also known as breast milk bank is a service, usually attached to a nursery or a hospital, that collects, screens and stores the human milk from healthy lactating mothers to provide them to babies who are not biologically related to these donors. We have a list of breastmilk donation banks that can help save a baby and give them the health and immunity they need for the future.
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It is every mother's dream to nurse her newborn. The warmth and the connect between the two is difficult to fathom. But on endless occasions, some children do not get the opportunity to be breastfed by the mother and they lose out on the most vital nutrients in their early stages of life. What is the solution, then? Of course, formula feed is a substitute but nothing compares to the benefits of mother's milk for a baby. Preterm babies need all the goodness of breast milk just like normal newborns and unfortunately, the mother is unable to feed the child. This is when Human Milk Banks turn saviours.

In the last few weeks, we have received so much bad news and there are babies out there losing a parent and are unable to get breast milk. This is our endeavour to help you help them. 

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Image source: www.namibiansun.com

You May Also Like: Breastfeeding Guide For New Moms

What is a Human Milk Bank? 

Human milk bank is also known as breast milk bank is a service, usually attached to a nursery or a hospital, that collects, screens and stores the human milk from healthy lactating mothers to provide them to babies who are not biologically related to these donors. Experts call human milk, "liquid gold" for the storehouse of good health and vital nutrients that the milk possess.

A recent research that was published shows India leading in the number of preterm births. Brazil, instrumental in setting up human milk banks managed to turn around its rate of  infant mortality. Brazil has more than 200-odd mother's milk banks and has seen a 73% decline in infant mortality rates over the last two decades, according to statistics. The world's first human milk bank was set up in Vienna, Austria in 1911. The first Asian country to set up a breast milk bank was India, way back in 1989 (Lokmanya Tilak Hospital, Mumbai).

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Image source: economictimes.indiatimes.com

Who can donate?

Any healthy lactating mother, who is not under any specific drugs, with no evidence of Hepatitis, and tests negative for VDRL and HIV can donate milk after the examining doctor's approval.

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Image source: Internet

What is the Process?

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Image source: thetimesbusiness.com

The donor can visit the centre and donate the milk or the milk that is extracted at home and stored in sterile containers is handed over to the centers. The milk is then screened for any bacterial growth and other mandatory checks, pasteurized and frozen at -20 deg. This is then supplied to the children who require it the most.

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Image source: saucedinnewyork.com

Though India set up its first milk bank 27 years ago, there hasn't been enough done to meet the spiralling demand in our country. Among the various challenges plaguing Indian society, the biggest is the social stigma and the taboo associated with donating breastmilk.

The concept of feeding the newborn with somebody else's milk is difficult to accept for some parts of the society and the hard truth remains that a section of the newborns does not get the benefit of these milk banks. Also, societal pressures can put a limitation on the donor, even if they are willing to donate. Milk banks not only cater to the need of children who are born premature, but also instances where they are orphaned, with feeding intolerance, surgical complications, twins/triplets, insufficient supply from mother, etc.

Dr Vanshika Adukia Gupta is an advocate and runs a programme for Breastmilk donation. She says

As one of our Therhappy mothers once described her breast milk donation experience:

From one mother to another, donating breast milk is an honour. It is a privilege to be able to donate precious liquid gold of breast milk and have another little life’s needs fulfilled.

Should you have questions we can get them answered, so please talk to us in the comments below or you can write to us or contact the doctor at Therhappy  She is there to help you get the right help.

Human Milk Banks In India 

  • Amara Milk Bank (In collaboration with Fortis la Femme), Greater Kailash, New Delhi
  • Cloudnine, New Delhi
  • Lokamanya Tilak Hospital (Sion Hospital), Sion, Mumbai
  • Surya Hospital, Mumbai
  • Cama Hospital, Fort, Mumbai
  • KEM Hospital, Parel, Mumbai
  • Sir JJ Group of Hospitals, Byculla, Mumbai
  • Divya Mother Milk Bank, Udaipur, Rajasthan
  • Dheenanath Mangeshkar Hospital and Research Centre, Pune
  • SSKM Hospital, Kolkata
  • Institute of Child Health, Egmore, Chennai
  • Vijaya Hospital, Chennai
  • Human Milk Bank at Kanchi Kamakoti Childs Trust Hospital
  • Neolacta Lifesciences Pvt Ltd, Bengaluru
  • Dhaatri Mother's Milk Bank at Niloufer Hospital

Image source: indialivetoday.com

If you have names or suggestions that you think we should add to our list, please do write to us at [email protected]. Help of any kind in this pandemic is accepted with gratitude. 

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