One in eight babies is born prematurely. A mother's milk is often key to their survival. An Austin donor bank that provides milk to the tiny patients has issued an urgent call for help.
Baby Ike's plump rosy cheeks are courtesy of donor breast milk. He, like the other faces along the Mothers’ Milk Bank walls was either born prematurely, or battled an illness as an infant. When their moms could not produce milk, women like Ronda Smith filled the void.
"Just knowing that there are little babies out there that need help, I wanted to help,” said Smith.
The mother of two understands the struggles parents of preemies go through. Her cousin's baby girl had to be delivered early.
"She just wasn't growing in the womb, so they had to have her early. It was hard on the family,” she said.
Such small babies have a high risk of developing infections that can be fatal. Mothers' Milk Bank spokesperson Whitney Musitano says doctors have found that feeding babies breast milk instead of formula can decrease the risk of infection. It can also boost their immune system in ways formula can not.
"Their chances of survival and thriving increase significantly,” Musitano said.
One of two milk banks in Texas, bank in Austin currently supplies 57 hospitals in 14 states. Each bottle is specially formulated for each infant's tummy.
"As more hospitals recognize how life saving the donor human milk is for premature and ill infants, the demand is rising,” Musitano said.
To meet the growing demand, the milk bank will need 500 donors this year; that is 100 more than last year.
Donating is easy. After passing a screening, lactating moms can drop off frozen milk at the Central Austin location. There also are drop points in Waco, San Antonio, Houston and Corpus Christi.
For mom's who may not live by a donation drop point, the milk bank provides pre-packaged coolers and pays to ship the milk.
One ounce can feed a preemie three times. It is sure to bring comfort to a worried family.
If you would like to donate, click here or call the milk bank at 512-494-0800.
