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All About Women

A patient-centered practice for all stages of a woman's life

Gainesville, FL (352) 331-3332
6440 W Newberry Rd, Ste 111

Lake City, FL (386) 754-1744
4447 NW American Ln, Ste 102

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Blog / Medical News / Breast Milk Banks On the Rise

Breast Milk Banks On the Rise

May 29, 2014 By Site Admin

Some mothers, such as those of premature babies or adopted infants, may be interested in human milk but unable to nurse their baby. For these mothers, a growing network of milk banks is springing up across the nation to help meet the need of these mothers and babies.

The American Association of Pediatrics (AAP) supports breastfeeding for all infants, including premature or low-birth weight babies. In 2012 the Academy furthered their policy on breastfeeding, noting that if at-risk babies couldn’t receive milk from their mother, donated milk was the best alternative.

According to a recent HealthDay article, the number of milk banks across the US and Canada is expected to reach 22 by the end of 2014. Five milk banks are slated to open this year, and four opened in 2013.

The “boom” in milk bank comes as the medical community is better understanding the importance of breast milk to infants, particularly those who are at-risk. According to one milk bank, The Human Milk Banking Association of North American, infants in NICU units are the recipients of most of their donated milk. The Association though is aiming for the day where their supply of donated milk can fulfill all babies in need.

Breast milk protects infants from a slew of trouble both in infancy and later on in life. The AAP notes that breast milk helps protect babies against:

  • Diarrhea and urinary tract infections
  • Respiratory and Ear Infections
  • Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes
  • Childhood obesity
  • Lymphoma, leukemia, and Hodgkin’s disease

Milk banks are a safer alternative to using others’ breast milk than milk sharing sites. In a milk-sharing site, women with extra breast milk connect individually with women who are looking for a supply of breast milk. While these sites may be handy, they lack safety precautions; a recent study found that nearly 75% of 101 breast milk samples collected through a milk-sharing website contained bacteria that could potentially make a baby sick.

Milk banks, on the other hand, have careful guidelines in place in order to protect the babies for whom the milk is purchased:

  • Donating mothers must be screened for infectious diseases, including hepatitis B and HIV, before donating
  • Donors must have clearance from their doctor and from their child’s pediatrician before donating
  • All collected milk is pasteurized

The stringent “food safety” protocols that milk banks use help ensure that a baby’s milk supply will be nothing but nurturing. Medical research has shown that donated breast milk is just as nurturing as a mother’s milk. While the milk banks that supply this milk are thriving, their demand is higher than their supply, and they’re always looking for women who are able to donate in order to meet the demand for human milk.

The doctors and nurse midwives at Northern Florida’s All About Women support a woman’s choice to breastfeed. You can learn more about breastfeeding, as well other women’s health issues, by visiting our Knowledge Center.

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Filed Under: Medical News, Research & New Techniques Tagged With: baby care, baby time, breastfeeding, nutrition, research

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All About Women Obstetrics and Gynecology – Gainesville

Gainesville
6440 W Newberry Rd, Ste 111
Gainesville, FL 32605
(352) 331-3332


All About Women Obstetrics and Gynecology – Lake Cit

Lake City
4447 NW American Ln, Ste 102
Lake City, FL 32055
(386) 754-1744


 

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Gainesville and Lake City OB/GYN Care
OB/GYN doctors at All About Women, Obstetrics & Gynecology offer personalized, technologically advanced obstetrics and gynecology services from Board Certified OB/GYB physicians. Besides expert women's healthcare, permanent birth control and prenatal care, OB/GYN doctors also offers advanced hysterectomy surgery in and around the Gainesville area.


Women's Health Care in Alachua & Columbia Counties
With offices in Gainesville and Lake City, Florida, All About Women, M.D. provides expert OB/GYN services covering the entire range of women's healthcare needs. Our OB/GYN physicians and nurse midwives provide expert care during pregnancy as well as state of the art in-office treatments for gynecologic disorders including Novasure endometrial ablation to treat/stop heavy menstrual bleeding.


Personalized & Expert Prenatal Care
Gainesville obstetricians at All About Women, M.D. help ensure pregnancy goes as smoothly as possible by offering the best prenatal care available. And for those having difficulty getting pregnant, AAW obstetricians and gynecologists offer couples the best infertility help and treatment available.


Advanced Minimally Invasive Surgery: daVinci Surgical System
Clinic founder Dr. Anthony Agrios, Board Certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist also specializes in the daVinci Robotic surgery system, a minimally invasive option commonly used for a hysterectomy and other procedures. Instead of creating several small incisions like traditional surgical methods, OB/GYN surgeons simply open one incision with the daVinci system to complete the procedure. Not only do patients experience less pain and blood loss, they recover and get back to normal much faster.


Pregnancy & Prenatal Care: Creative Pregnancy Announcement : Fruits for Pregnant Women

OB/GYN Tips: Choosing an OB/GYN : Robotic Hysterectomy

Infertility & Reproduction Health: Infertility Treatment : Permanent Birth Control

Women's Health: Preventive Care : Well Women Care : Mammogram Screenings : Abnormal Periods

Gainesville Maternity Care

 

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All About Women
Gainesville and Lake City, Florida Obstetrics & Gynecology

Offices conveniently located in the heart of North Florida (Alachua County & Columbia County). Serving women of all ages and backgrounds
in and around Ocala, Williston, Chiefland, Perry, Live Oak, Lake City, Starke, Palatka and Gainesville.