Ahmedabad Mothers Donate 90 Litres Of Breast Milk

An army of around 250 mothers donated 90 litres of breast milk to Apran MOM bank in Ahmedabad. Rushina Doctor Marfatia, is one such mom, who alone has donated close to 12 litres of breast milk, which was used to provide nutrition to babies whose mothers couldn't feed their newborns due to weakness or any other medical condition.

When I wondered if I could donate the milk for some sick or needy baby, my father rummaged through hospitals and found this bank. Apart from exclusively breastfeeding my son, I started donating my milk and do not plan to stop anytime soon. - Rushina Doctor Marfatia

Some Takeaways:

• Rushina Doctor Marfatia realised that she was producing more milk than her baby needed.
• Thus she began donating breast milk to premature babies.
• Apran MOM bank has received milk donation of almost 600 milk feeds of 150 ml each.
• Many mothers in Ahmedabad have joined hands to provide close to 90 litres of breast milk for babies in need of it.
  
  

Also Read: Vaginal Seeding And Breastfeeding Vital For C-Section Babies’ Immunity

Rushina's Priceless Deed

Rushina who gave birth to her baby boy Vivan on September 20. She realized she was producing more milk than her baby could feed on. Thus the new mother decided to donate her breast milk to premature babies who were fighting for their lives in ICU. The mothers of these babies were either too sick or could not provide the babies with the milk. Rushina says, "When I wondered if I could donate the milk for some sick or needy baby, my father rummaged through hospitals and found this bank. Apart from exclusively breastfeeding my son, I started donating my milk and do not plan to stop anytime soon." Rushina is donating her breast milk to Apran MOM Bank along with 250 other mothers.

The Apran MOM bank received a donation of around 90 litres of milk which is almost 600 milk feeds of 150 ml each.

Rushina, who is 29 years old, is an event management teacher at a private college. She believes that children are the healthiest when fed with breastmilk. Senior neonatologist Dr Ashish Mehta of Arpan Newborn Care Center says, "Rushina's deed is priceless. Her milk served as a panacea for these fragile babies weighing anywhere between 600 gm and 1.5 kg who are more prone to infections." The Apran MOM bank received a donation of around 90 litres of milk which is almost 600 milk feeds of 150 ml each, reports Times Now.

Read also: Brands Normalising The Conversation Around Pregnancy And Breastfeeding

Why is Breastmilk important for Babies?

Breast milk provides proper nutrition for babies. According to a report by The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, not only provides babies with essential nutrition, it also offers some protection against common childhood infections and leads to better chances of survival during a baby's first year, including a lower risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. UNICEF suggests in a report that breast milk provides all of the vitamins, minerals, enzymes and antibodies that children need to grow and thrive in the first six months of life, and continues to be a pivotal part of their diet up to the age of two or beyond.

Dr Mehta told Times of India,  "Medically, human milk is known to be the best food for a baby which is most easily digestible, full of nutrients and boosts the immunity of infants to fight diseases. Needless to say, when we fed premature babies, whose intestines are very weak and under-developed in ICUs with mother's milk instead of formula, 50 percent of the children got better faster and did not report digestive troubles which slow down their progress."

Image Credit: Mid Day

Mansi is an Intern at SheThePeople.TV