Emergency Help! +254 725 258 821
user
Login
Join Now
Advanced
Search
  1. Home
  2. Lessons
  3. Using Donor Milk or Milk Banks — Safety Basics
Course Content
Why Breastfeeding Matters (10 minutes)
Health and developmental benefits for infants Maternal benefits (physical and mental) Economic and community-level advantages Common myths and culturally specific misconceptions
0/4
Health & Developmental Benefits for Infants from Breastfeeding
Maternal Benefits of Breastfeeding (Physical and Mental)
Economic and Community-Level Advantages of Breastfeeding
Common Myths and Culturally Specific Misconceptions about Breastfeeding
Newborn Feeding Cues & Anatomy (20 minutes)
Early vs. late hunger cues and what they mean Normal newborn feeding patterns and stomach capacity Brief breast anatomy (lobes, ducts, nipple, areola) in plain language Signs of effective feeding (swallowing, contentment, diaper output)
0/4
Early vs. Late Hunger Cues in Infants
Normal Newborn Feeding Patterns and Stomach Capacity
Breast Anatomy (in Plain Language)
Signs of Effective Feeding in Breastfed Babies
Positions & Achieving a Good Latch (40 minutes)
Position options: cradle, cross-cradle, football/clutch, side-lying Stepwise approach to help baby latch (prepare — attach — assess) Signs of a good vs. poor latch (comfort, nipple shape, audible swallowing) Small-person adaptations (premature, small mouth, tongue-tie considerations) Safe positioning for mothers with C-section recovery
0/5
Position Options for Breastfeeding
Stepwise Approach to Help Baby Latch
Signs of a Good vs. Poor Latch
Small-Person Adaptations in Breastfeeding
Safe Positioning for Mothers with C-Section Recovery
Protecting & Building Milk Supply (25 minutes)
Establishing supply in the first days and weeks (frequency, skin-to-skin) Night feeds and cluster feeding explained Lifestyle and medical factors that reduce supply (e.g., certain medications, stress) Relactation and increasing milk supply safely Nutrition and hydration myths vs. evidence
0/5
Establishing Milk Supply in the First Days and Weeks
Night Feeds and Cluster Feeding
Lifestyle and Medical Factors That Reduce Supply
Relactation and Increasing Milk Supply Safely
Nutrition and Hydration Myths vs. Evidence in Breastfeeding
Expressing & Storing Breastmilk (20 minutes)
Hand-expression steps and common mistakes Choosing and using pumps (manual vs. electric) — practical tips Safe collection, labeling, storage, thawing and warming guidelines (low-resource options included) Cleaning and hygiene for bottles and storage containers Feeding expressed milk to infant (cup, spoon, paladai, bottle considerations)
0/5
Hand-Expression Steps and Common Mistakes
Choosing and Using Breast Pumps (Manual vs. Electric)
Safe Breast Milk Handling
Cleaning and Hygiene for Bottles and Storage Containers
Feeding Expressed Milk to Infants
Common Problems & Practical Solutions (25 minutes)
Causes of sore nipples and immediate relief techniques Managing engorgement and preventing blocked ducts Recognising mastitis vs. normal engorgement and when antibiotics may be needed Low weight gain: assessment steps and feeding plan adjustments Non-judgmental approach to supplementation and safe short-term options
0/5
Causes of Sore Nipples and Immediate Relief
Managing Engorgement and Preventing Blocked Ducts
Recognising Mastitis vs. Normal Engorgement
Low Weight Gain — Assessment and Feeding Plan Adjustments
Non-Judgmental Approach to Supplementation
Returning to Work or School; Feeding Outside the Home (15 minutes)
Creating an express-and-feed routine (timing, containers, transport) Practical storage and transport tips for different commute types Rights and workplace basics (general guidance; encourage local legal verification) Communicating with caregivers and preparing safe feeder notes Emotional coping and practical fallback plans
0/5
Creating an Express-and-Feed Routine
Practical Storage & Transport Tips for Expressed Breast Milk by Commute Type
Rights and Workplace Basics for Breastfeeding Mothers
Communicating with Caregivers and Preparing Safe Feeder Notes
Emotional Coping and Practical Fallback Plans
Special Situations (20 minutes)
Feeding preterm or low-birthweight infants: kangaroo care, cup or tube feeding basics Managing twins/multiples: tandem feeding tips and time-saving routines Mothers on medication or with infectious illness: how to check drug safety and local guidelines (HIV, TB, etc.) Using donor milk or milk banks (where available) — safety basics
0/4
Feeding Preterm or Low-Birthweight Infants
Managing Twins/Multiples — Tandem Feeding Tips and Time-Saving Routines
Mothers on Medication or with Infectious Illness — Drug Safety & Guidelines
Using Donor Milk or Milk Banks — Safety Basics
When to Seek Help & Building a Support Network (15 minutes)
Red flags for baby and mother (e.g., poor weight gain, fever, severe pain) Where to seek help: clinic, CHW, lactation consultant, emergency care Building a support network: partners, family, peer counsellors, community groups Using telephone/text supports, community groups, and referral pathways
0/4
Red Flags for Baby and Mother
Where to Seek Help for Breastfeeding Challenges
Building a Support Network for Breastfeeding Mothers
Using Telephone/Text Supports, Community Groups, and Referral Pathways
Wrap-up, Resources & Final Assessment (15 minutes)
Key takeaways and common pitfalls to avoid Next steps: seeking local support, advanced training options How to use course materials beyond the course (groups, sharing, peer support) Final 20-question multiple-choice quiz (80% pass mark)
0/4
Key Takeaways and Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Next Steps — Seeking Local Support & Advanced Training Options
How to Use Course Materials Beyond the Course
Final 20-question multiple-choice quiz (80% pass mark)
How to Breastfeed — Self-Paced, Evidence-Based Course for African Moms

1. Introduction

When a mother cannot provide enough of her own breast milk, donor human milk is the next best option — especially for premature or sick infants. Milk banks ensure donor milk is safe, screened, and pasteurized before reaching babies.

2. Why Donor Milk?

  • Protects preterm and sick infants from necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), infections, and poor growth.

  • Provides optimal nutrition compared to formula.

  • Supports babies whose mothers:

    • Are critically ill,

    • Have insufficient supply,

    • Are taking unsafe medications,

    • Or have passed away.

3. Safety Steps in Milk Banking

Donor Screening

  • Donors are carefully assessed (medical history, lifestyle).

  • Blood tests for HIV, hepatitis B & C, syphilis, and other infections.

Milk Collection

  • Mothers express milk in clean, sterile conditions.

  • Milk stored in labeled containers and transported safely.

Pasteurization

  • Milk heated (usually Holder pasteurization: 62.5°C for 30 min) to kill bacteria/viruses.

  • Maintains most protective properties of breast milk.

Testing & Storage

  • Pasteurized milk tested for contamination.

  • Stored frozen until issued to hospitals or families with medical need.

4. Home-Based Informal Milk Sharing — Safety Concerns

  • Risk of infections (HIV, hepatitis, CMV).

  • Risk of contamination if milk is not handled hygienically.

  • Risk of medication/drug transfer from donor.

  • Not recommended unless safe screening and pasteurization are available.

5. Practical Advice for Parents

  • Ask your hospital if a human milk bank is available.

  • Ensure milk is from screened, pasteurized, and regulated sources.

  • If using donor milk at home (informal sharing), consult a health professional first.

  • Formula may be safer than unscreened, unpasteurized donor milk.

End of Lecture Quiz

Q1. Why is donor milk preferred over formula for preterm infants?
A. It is cheaper.
B. It has protective factors and lowers risk of NEC.
C. It tastes better.
D. It is easier to prepare.

Answer: B. It has protective factors and lowers risk of NEC.
Rationale: Donor milk provides antibodies and reduces severe gut complications.

Q2. What process ensures donor milk is free from dangerous infections?
A. Refrigeration
B. Boiling
C. Pasteurization
D. Adding preservatives

Answer: C. Pasteurization.
Rationale: Holder pasteurization eliminates harmful microbes while preserving nutrition.

Q3. True or False: Informal sharing of raw breast milk from friends or social media is safe.
Answer: False.
Rationale: Unscreened milk can transmit infections or harmful substances.

Curated Resources

Key Takeaways

  • Donor human milk is the safest alternative to mother’s milk, especially for fragile babies.

  • Safety depends on donor screening, pasteurization, and regulated milk banks.

  • Informal milk sharing carries infection and contamination risks.

  • When banks are not available, exclusive breastfeeding support and safe formula use (if needed) are key.

Call to Action

  • Mothers: If struggling with supply, ask about donor milk at your hospital.

  • Health workers: Educate families on safe donor milk practices and risks of informal sharing.

  • Communities/Policymakers: Support establishment of human milk banks to save newborn lives.

Previous
Next
Ushauri Mama - Your MNCH Guide