'It's a lot like donating blood': Breast milk donation a vital lifeline

Nine-month-old Finlay Burke with breast milk donated by his mother Kate Hennessy. Pictures: Brendan Gleeson

Ireland’s only human milk bank has made a fresh appeal for donor mums to help sick and premature babies, and even newborns whose mums have tragically died.

Staff at the Western Trust’s Human Milk Bank in Fermanagh are hoping to increase the number of breast milk donors, particularly in the Southern region. 

Since it opened in 2000, the HMB in Co Fermanagh, has provided breast milk for thousands of premature and sick babies across the country. The bank also helps infants unable to benefit from breast milk due to an accident suffered by their mother or even maternal loss. 

The service is also key for new mothers who have undergone medical treatments like chemotherapy which can render their breast milk unfit for consumption.

Run by the Western Trust, the HMB relies entirely on donors. Last year, a total of 973 litres of donor breast milk were distributed to 31 units across 27 hospitals in Ireland. The donations were made to 773 premature babies, 233 of whom were either a twin or a triplet.

Kate Hennessy, who donated her nine-month-old son Finlay’s milk, explained her reasons for donating.

“Many of us tend to associate donor breast milk with babies in the NICU but this is not always the case. There are all kinds of reasons why a baby might need another mum’s breast milk. The baby receiving donor milk might not necessarily be a newborn but their mother might have been breastfeeding before suddenly passing away. It’s really about the babies getting that donation that will see them through. 

"It’s a lot like donating blood because you just never know who might need it. You might be in a position where you or someone close to you needs the support. We never know where the donor milk is going to end up.” 

Kate Hennessy with Finlay: 'There are all kinds of reasons why a baby might need another mum’s breast milk. The baby receiving donor milk might not necessarily be a newborn but their mother might have been breastfeeding before suddenly passing away.'

Kate, who lives in Limerick, and also has a three-year-old son named Senan, decided to donate for the first time after hearing about the milk bank through a Facebook page.

“Finlay was born in October when Gaza was all over the global news. Sitting by the fire in my lovely home, I was totally safe and protected. It made me think about what these babies were being born into and how lucky I was. It’s the kind of situation where you imagine your children asking you in the future what you did to make a difference when all this was happening. 

"There was nothing we could do to help the babies over there but there was still a chance to help babies in Ireland. Even though this wasn’t related directly to the conflict it was still an opportunity to do something charitable.” 

The mother-of-two says she appreciates the benefits of breast milk from firsthand experience.

“I breasted my first son Senan until he was two. He self-weaned at that point when I was about five months pregnant with Finlay. We kind of let him wean himself so it was child-led and I hope to do the same with Finlay. I’m going back to work in four weeks but I’ll have breast feeding breaks and this will help keep things going. When I was breastfeeding Senan I was able to go back to work at 11 months and continue breastfeeding him. 

"It’s still possible to do this and have a career which is why breastfeeding policies in the workplace are so important.” 

How does it work?

So how does it work?

After volunteering, registered donors receive sterilised bottles in the post. Milk that is built up can then be stored in the donor's freezer before being sent to the milk bank. Once an adequate supply is built up, the milk gets collected at the donor's address. Much of the time the milk is collected by Blood Bikes, a charity which transports medical supplies to hospitals throughout Ireland.

Susan Rogers, lead nurse for public health at the Western Trust extended her gratitude to HMB donors for their ongoing support. In an emotional post on the organisation’s website she wrote:

“We are indebted to our donor mums who have continued to provide essential donor breast milk for babies in neonatal and surgical units in hospitals throughout the whole of Ireland. The Human Milk Bank staff are working very hard to ensure this vital service remains available to all our vulnerable premature and surgical babies as the demand for donor expressed breast milk at this time is exceptionally high.” 

The message also made reference to the demand for donations.

“We are continuing to experience a high demand for human milk,” Ms Rogers said. 

“The Human Milk Bank breast milk gives premature and sick babies the best possible start in life as it helps build their immune system, their eye and brain development and prevent necrotising enterocolitis, which is a devastating intestinal disease affecting premature or low birth weight babies. 

"We have been very busy processing requests for donor milk to neonatal units across the province and in the Republic of Ireland over the past number of months. It is essential that we recruit donors on a continual basis.” 

She stressed the need for continued donations and volunteers.

“I would appeal to expectant mums to consider becoming a donor and for our donor mums to spread the word about the Human Milk Bank, as this is the best way to help us recruit new mums. We are also extremely grateful for the support of the voluntary Blood Bikers, who continue to help support the transport of our much-needed donor breast milk in all weather conditions.” 

A donor record sheet (health screening form) can be obtained by calling 048 6862 8333. Alternatively prospective donors may email their request to [e-mail].