Paediatricians call for scaling up human milk banks in Keralam

Calls for expanding human milk banks and increasing breastfeeding support are gaining traction among Kerala's paediatricians. The medical community stresses the need to scale up these facilities and encourage more mothers to donate breast milk to address the shortage of milk for preterm or sick infants. Lack of awareness, stigma, and misconceptions continue to hinder the number of lactating mothers who donate milk at Comprehensive Lactation Management Centres (CLMC) and Human Milk Banks in the region.

Dr. Riaz, former president of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) Keralam and superintendent of SAT Hospital, explains that while a mother's own milk is ideal for her baby, the shortage of donor milk often forces hospitals to use formula instead. Dr. S. Sachidananda Kamath, former national president of IAP and superintendent of Indira Gandhi Co-operative Hospital, Ernakulam, notes that a gap exists between lactation demand and breastmilk supply.

Setting up additional milk banks and motivating more donors would help provide essential care and nutrition to newborns, according to the doctors. The Institute of Mother and Child in Government Medical College, Kozhikode, serves around 100-110 sick, vulnerable newborns daily requiring intensive care. The CLMC at this hospital faces a high patient load.

Dr. Deepa K.S., nodal officer at the hospital, says that while they can offer lactation support, a gap remains. Similar challenges persist in other high-volume centres across Kerala, which could be addressed with more donor participation. Dr. Aswathy Rahul, nodal officer at SAT Hospital's CLMC, emphasizes the importance of raising awareness and dispelling myths to strengthen the lactation sector.

Despite offering milk for free, the hospital rarely gets donors from outside. A donor from Lakshadweep, who traveled 85 km to donate milk, highlights the lack of awareness in remote areas. Without proper facilities, some women express their breast milk and discard it instead of donating it to help feed other babies.