PRESS RELEASE
CONTACT: Naomi Bar-Yam, 617-599-2902NEW ENGLAND MILK BANK OPENS FIRST MILK PROCESSING LAB IN THE REGION FOR THE TWENTY FIRST CENTURY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEThe Mothers’ Milk Bank of New England (MMBNE) has completed its milk processing lab and will begin operations this summer, 2010.
A milk bank receives milk donated by mothers who have more milk than their babies need. The milk is screened, pasteurized and distributed, primarily to premature and sick babies whose mothers do not have sufficient milk.
The milk bank has dispensed over 60,000 ounces of processed donor milk from the Mothers’ Milk Bank of Ohio to hospitals and families throughout New England since August 2008, about 2,600 ounces per month. With the opening of the lab, MMBNE will be able to screen local donors and process the milk for distribution in New England. “We are finalizing our procedures and protocols to make sure that our screening and processing are safe and effective,” said Kelli Purchase, lab coordinator.
Ongoing research on the nutritive, immune and growth factors of human milk, as well as risks of infant formulas, has brought breastfeeding and use of human milk to the attention of hospitals and physicians. In the last few months, two hospitals in New England have begun to use human milk, donor milk when mother’s own milk is not available, as standard of care. Four other hospitals are currently working on similar policies. “Hospitals are implementing policies based on the overwhelming research evidence. The new lab at MMBNE will be able to meet this growing need in New England,” commented Dr. Kathleen Marinelli, neonatologist at CT Children’s Medical Center and medical director of MMBNE.
An opening reception will be held on Sunday May 16, 3-5 PM at the milk bank, Newton Cultural Center, 225 Nevada Street Room 201 Newtonville, MA 02460. At the opening reception, Georgia Morrow, director of the Mothers’ Milk Bank of Ohio, will receive the MMBNE Share the Health Award. “Georgia has provided us with so much more than donor milk these last 2 years, and we are thrilled that she will be joining us for our opening celebration to accept the award,” said Naomi Bar-Yam, director of MMBNE. The reception is free and open to the public.
Naomi Bar-Yam, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Mothers' Milk Bank of New England
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Breast milk from donors is proving helpful in the Brigham’s neonatal ICU
Boston Globe article about donor milk.
MMBNE Executive Director on WBUR
A recent Radio Boston show featuring Executive Director Naomi Bar-Yam.
Milk Banks & Wet Nursing
An article from the Hartford Advocate.
A recent Newsweek article on milk banking.
Mothers' Milk Bank of New England
PO Box 60-0091 Newtonville, MA 02460
Office phone: 617-527-6263
Fax: 617-527-1005