DONATE MILK
How do we help fragile babies
by donating breast milk?
UNICEF revealed that nearly ten percent of newborn deaths in the world last year occurred in Nigeria. According to the report, five countries accounted for half of all new-born deaths last year, with Nigeria third in the list (9%).
The first 28 days of life- the neonatal period- is critical time for survival of the child. Every day in Nigeria, about 700 babies die (around 30 every hour). This is the highest number of newborn deaths in Africa, and third highest in the World.
Of all the known approaches, human milk has the greatest potential impact on child survival. A mother’s breast milk provides the optimal nutrition for growing infants.
Unfortunately, some infants do not have access to their mother’s own milk (MOM), leaving them particularly vulnerable. With Pasteurized Donor Human available for infants, it will go a very long way to reducing neonatal mortality in Nigeria.
Do You Qualify To Be a Donor??
You are likely to qualify as a donor if:
- You are generally healthy
- You do not take medications or herbal supplements on a regular basis (with exceptions)
- You do not smoke
- You are willing to undergo a blood test
- You are able to arrange for transportation of your milk to our drop-off site
- If your pumped milk is within ten months of pump date
- You have a positive blood test result for HIV, HTLV, Hepatitis B or C, or Syphilis
You or your sexual partner is at risk for HIV - You use illegal drugs
You smoke or use tobacco products including nicotine patches or nicotine gum, electric cigarette - You have received an organ transplant, tissue transplant, or a blood transfusion in the last four months
- You regularly consume more than two alcoholic drinks per day
If You're Eligible, Follow the steps below
STEP 1
Pre-Screening
STEP 2
Complete Paperwork
STEP 3
Get a Blood Test
STEP 4
Donate Milk
1. PRE-SCREENING
You will fill an online questionnaire to confirm your eligibility. Once we get these answers and confirm that you qualify to donate breast milk.
You will get a call from our Donor intake representative.
2. COMPLETE PAPERWORK
You will then complete the Donor Interview (a detailed medical and lifestyle history questionnaire of mother and baby), consent form and read the information leaflet.
3. GET A BLOOD TEST
Once your paperwork has been completed. We’ll provide you with a letter to have your blood test done at any Clini Lancet laboratory. In order to provide the safest milk for preterm and critically ill babies, we require all donor moms to complete a blood test to screen for harmful viruses that can pass into breast milk. These viruses include HIV1 and 2, hepatitis B and C, Syphilis and Human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV). The blood test cost is paid by us.
4. DONATE MILK
Once we receive your negative blood test results, you will be approved as a donor. You can now donate your breast milk to us. You can drop off or we pick up from you.
donors faqs
For premature babies, sick babies and babies who do not have access to their mum’s own milk, human milk is lifesaving medicine. Access to donor milk allows babies who can’t breast feed get all the nutrients and unique benefits of human milk.
We require that donors, store up to a minimum of 2.5 liters of human milk before donating
We only accept frozen breast milk that has previously been stored in freezers.
Donors do not receive any payment for their donation
Donors may send us frozen breast milk that is within the acceptable age range and free of restricted medications after the screening process.
Approved donors are allowed to donate for as long as they wish regardless of the age of their baby
If you’ve been recording the date pumped on your storage containers, we can accept milk that has already been pumped.
There are financial costs for all of the safety measures ( blood screening, pre and post-pasteurization screening) that help turn gifts of milk into medicine for fragile babies. We charge a service fee to help cover these costly steps.
The milk bank would make arrangements to collect the milk from you.
We’d love to answer your questions about becoming a milk donor. If your question isn’t listed above, please send an email to or call.
You can call us on 07038361654 and 08187990572 or Send us an email us at drchinny@themilkbankng.com