Mother’s Milk—A Lifesaving Elixir for Newborns!

Over 2,000 infants receive vital nourishment through Jalgaon’s Human Milk Bank

Motherhood symbolizes love, care, and sacrifice. However, due to medical complications, premature births, or in cases of abandonment, some mothers are unable to breastfeed their newborns. In such situations, a Human Milk Bank becomes a lifesaving solution. Jalgaon District General Hospital’s Human Milk Bank stands as a remarkable example of this life-affirming initiative.

Launched in March 2024, the Human Milk Bank has, till date, received voluntary milk donations from 1,846 mothers and provided safe, nutritious milk to over 2,000 newborns.

The idea for this pioneering initiative was first presented by District Collector Ayush Prasad to Guardian Minister Gulabrao Patil. The proposal received enthusiastic support from ministers and public representatives in the district, and it was implemented under the leadership of District Surgeon Dr. Kiran Patil. “When it comes to children’s health, there is no substitute for breast milk. This initiative was born out of that very need,” said Dr. Patil.

Led by coordinator Jayshree Patil and Dr. Shailaja Chavan, a dedicated five-member team runs the Milk Bank, offering counseling and round-the-clock service. “Mother’s milk is not just food—it is a lifeline,” they emphasize.

What is a Human Milk Bank?

A Human Milk Bank is a specialized facility that collects, screens, pasteurizes, stores, and distributes breast milk donated by healthy lactating women. It is especially vital for newborns whose mothers are unable to breastfeed due to illness, premature delivery, insufficient lactation, or even death.

How Does It Work?

Milk Donation
Healthy mothers voluntarily donate excess breast milk after feeding their own babies. Donors undergo medical screening and health history checks.

Processing and Testing
The collected milk is pasteurized following standard procedures to eliminate harmful bacteria and pathogens, ensuring it is safe for consumption.

Storage and Distribution
The milk is stored in deep freezers at regulated low temperatures and is supplied on prescription, especially to premature or underweight babies admitted in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs).

Why is It Necessary?

Breast milk is essential for enhancing immunity and aiding digestion, particularly in premature or medically fragile infants. When a mother is unable to breastfeed, donor milk becomes crucial. It is quite literally a lifeline for such newborns. In this sense, the Human Milk Bank represents an extended form of maternal compassion and care within society.

Benefits:

• Supports healthy growth and development in infants
• Helps reduce infant mortality rates
• Promotes and normalizes breastfeeding
• Provides mother-like nourishment even in the mother’s absence

The Human Milk Bank is a harmonious blend of science, service, and motherhood. It is a life-saving system—a guardian angel for the youngest and most vulnerable among us.