If you want to learn more about donating breastmilk in Singapore, this article is for you. Help make a difference in the lives of infants and their families by donating breastmilk.
A mother’s breastmilk is the best food for her baby, so if you have extra, you can donate it to other mums who need it. Donating breastmilk in Singapore is just one way you can help make a difference in the community.
Donating breastmilk in Singapore is also a great way to help your body recover after giving birth. There are about 35,000 babies born each year in Singapore alone, so many mums could use extra assistance to feed their babies. If you’ve got extra milk, consider donating it!
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Why is Breastmilk Important?
Breastmilk is the gold standard for infant nutrition.
It’s packed with all the nutrients your baby needs to grow and has beneficial properties that can’t be matched by formula. The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for babies until they’re six months old, at which point breastmilk can be supplemented with solid foods.
Here are some reasons why breastmilk is so important:
- It has antibodies that help protect your baby against infections.
- It also contains fatty acids that help develop your baby’s brain and nervous system, plus other essential nutrients needed for healthy growth.
- And it helps build up your baby’s immune system and reduces the risk of allergies later in life.
breast milk storage bags
When Can a Mother Not Breastfeed?
A mother can’t and won’t be able to breastfeed if she has:
- a medical condition that prevents breastfeeding, such as HIV or certain types of cancer.
- been taking certain medications, such as antidepressants or antiseizure drugs, that might harm the baby.
- had a history of drug or alcohol abuse or addiction and does not receive treatment for it before attempting to breastfeed her child.
- an infection in her breasts or nipples, it is painful for her to nurse her child or prevent milk flow entirely.
- If she is not producing enough milk because of insufficient glandular tissue (hormonal reasons), which is common among women who are pregnant with twins or triplets but can also happen with other high-order multiples like quadruplets and quintuplets; if this situation happens before day five after birth (or earlier if you have reason to believe that it might occur sooner).
Why Should I Donate My Breastmilk?
If you’re thinking about donating your breastmilk, you may wonder why you should even bother. Here are a few reasons:
- You’ll be helping a baby in need who will develop immunity to illnesses from drinking your breastmilk.
- Your friend may have trouble producing enough milk and could benefit from having another source of it.
- If you’re unable to breastfeed your child, donating could help provide an alternative for parents who want their babies to receive breastmilk but aren’t able to produce it themselves.
- Helping premature babies grow healthily
- Boosting the immune system of premature babies who lack antibodies from their mothers’ milk
- Providing nutrients that may not be available in formula products, such as omega 3 fatty acids and protein
How Do I Donate Breastmilk in Singapore?
Donating breastmilk has many benefits. It can help you feel good about yourself, it’s a great way to support a friend or family member, and it helps babies who need it.
You must take every precaution when donating breastmilk in Singapore. Be sure that you read all of the guidelines from your local health authority before collecting and transporting any milk, as well as follow all procedures to ensure safe handling of the milk once collected.
If you’re interested in donating your breastmilk in Singapore, here are some tips for making sure that your donation goes smoothly:
- Make sure that you are healthy and not sick or contagious.
- Choose a reputable organisation, like Temasek Foundation Community Milk Bank Programme, Singapore’s first Donor Human Milk Bank Programme.
- Check the Milk Bank FAQ before the donation so they can provide instructions on preparing your breastmilk for donation.
- Stay hydrated! Drinking water will help ensure that your body produces enough milk for donation purposes.
- Bring extra bottles or bags of milk if possible–this will help ensure enough is available for all donations at the event.
Image courtesy: istockphoto
What Disqualifies You From Donating Breastmilk?
The KK Human Milk Bank will not accept your milk if you:
- Smoke.
- Consume alcohol.
- Use illegal drugs or other prohibited substances.
- Routinely consume 3 or more cups of coffee, tea, or other caffeine stimulant drinks per day (including cola and stimulant soft drinks).
- Have lived in or travelled to the UK between 1980 and 1996 for a total or cumulative period of 6 months.
- Have tested positive for HIV, Hepatitis B and C or Syphilis.
- Had any body piercing or tattooing done in the last 12 months, including acupuncture and eyebrow embroidery.
- Do not have adequate Vitamin B12 supplement if you are a vegetarian/vegan.
If you are taking medications (including herbal remedies), you may still be eligible to donate your milk. Please contact KK Human Milk Bank for clarification.
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What Do They Test for When You Donate Breastmilk?
- Declare your health status and complete a questionnaire.
- Agree to have blood taken for tests to screen for HIV, hepatitis and syphilis.
- Follow the instructions on collecting, labelling, storing and transporting breastmilk to KK Human Milk Bank according to the donor’s information leaflet.
- Inform KK Human Milk Bank about any changes in your health status.
- Allow KK Human Milk Bank personnel to review your and your baby’s medical records.
How Long Can You Donate Breastmilk For?
You may donate frozen milk expressed up to 2 months* prior, depending on the milk bank’s storage availability. You will need to meet all of the following criteria:
- Consent as a donor.
- Pass the general health screening questionnaire.
- Pass the required blood tests.
- Milk was expressed when your baby was less than one year old.
- Your baby is less than one year old.
- Pass a three-monthly general health screening questionnaire.
- Pass a three-monthly blood test.
Who Can I Contact If I Want to Donate My Breastmilk in Singapore
breast milk storage bags
Here at theAsianparent Singapore, it’s important for us to give information that is correct, significant, and timely. But this doesn’t serve as an alternative for medical advice or medical treatment. theAsianparent Singapore is not responsible for those that would choose to drink medicines based on information from our website. If you have any doubts, we recommend consulting your doctor for clearer information.