Describe the purpose of milk banks and how they select women to provide milk.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Human milk banks provide human milk to infants who cannot be breastfed by their mother. Premature and sick infants are most likely to receive banked milk. A woman can donate milk once or on a continuing basis if her supply exceeds the demands of her infant. Human milk donors are chosen by their health profile. Women are carefully screened before they can donate extra milk to milk banks. Milk banks that belong to the HMBANA require telephone screening, a written health and lifestyle history, and verification of the health of the mother and baby by the health care provider of each. Blood samples are tested for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, human T-cell leukemia-lymphoma virus (HTLV), and syphilis by the milk bank. Women are not accepted if they are acutely ill, have had a blood transfusion or an organ transplant within a year, drink more than 2 ounces of liquor daily, regularly use medications or megavitamins, smoke, or use street drugs. Additionally, women who eat no animal products must take vitamin supplements with B12to be eligible to donate.