Context

Human milk banks are ­sourcing and supplying ­donated milk to ­babies whose mothers cannot breastfeed.

About

• Breast Milk Banks are established under “National Guidelines on Establishment of Lactation Management Centres in Public Health Facilities” by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• It is established for the purpose of collecting, screening, processing, storing and distributing donor human milk at Government Medical Colleges or District Hospitals with high delivery load and availability of newborn treatment units.
• It has a collection and storage facility of mother’s own milk in District Hospital/Sub-district Hospital with at least 12 beds.
• These are established at all delivery points to provide breastfeeding support, lactation counselling and Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) support to mothers.
• The first Breast Milk Bank of India was established in 1989 at Mumbai.
• MAA - "Mothers Absolute Affection" is a nationwide programme of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to promote breastfeeding.

Importance of Breast Milk

• Breast milk is the optimum source of nutrition for the first six months of life of an infant.
• It prevents infections like diarrhoea and acute respiratory infections in early infancy and thus reduces infant mortality.
• It decreases the risk of mothers developing breast cancer, ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.
• Breast Milk Contains Important Antibodies.
• Breast Milk Promotes a Healthy Weight.
• Breastfeeding May Make Children Smarter.
• Breastfeeding May Help You Lose Weight.
• Breastfeeding Helps the Uterus Contract.
• Mothers Who Breastfeed Have a Lower Risk of Depression.
• Breastfeeding May Prevent Menstruation.