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Table 2 The NSM participating human milk banks

From: Breast milk donation after neonatal death in Australia: a report

Milk bank

Website

Location

Operational since

Policy on bereaved milk donation at the time of the Stakeholder meeting

PREM bank

http://www.kemh.health.wa.gov.au/services/PREM_Bank/

Perth, Western Australia

2006

Since establishment PREM Bank have accepted donations of breast milk from bereaved families.

The policy was developed over time with input from the hospital’s Perinatal Loss Service, the Medical Director of NICU, the director of the human milk bank, and parents who have experienced infant death and lactation.

The policy acknowledges the individual differences in a grieving experience, and that some women may not want to actively suppress lactation after the death of their infant.

Donations to the milk bank are supported as a mother progresses toward involution (the physiological process that occurs when milk removal from the breast ceases) in the days or weeks following the death of her infant.

The policy also supports donations of previously expressed milk.

The bereaved donor also meet all other screening requirements expected of breast milk donors.

Donors who do not wish to undertake the full screening process may give consent for their donation to be used in research projects.

Royal Prince Alfred (RPA) Hospital Human Donor Milk Program (HDM)

 

Sydney, New South Wales

2005

Does not have a policy relating to breast milk donation after neonatal death.

RPA Hospital HDM Program can only accept breast milk donations from mothers with infants in the NICU.

The RPA Hospital HDM Program has accepted donations of stored frozen breast milk from bereaved mothers whose babies have passed away in the RPA NICU

RPA NICU has not accepted milk from bereaved mothers who have birthed elsewhere, but have received inquiries from these mothers.

RPA staff does not approach bereaved mothers for breast milk donation. Rather, the mothers themselves approached RPA staff and offered their milk supply for donation.

The bereaved donor also meets all other screening requirements expected of breast milk donors.

Mercy Health Breast Milk Bank (MHBMB)

http://www.mercyhealthbreastmilkbank.com.au

Melbourne, Victoria

2011

MHBMB does not have a specific policy with respect to breast milk donation after neonatal death.

Approaches made to the MHBMB by bereaved mothers are individually considered.

If donors with living infants experience neonatal death they may continue to donate.

Due to current practice restrictions, MHBMB is unable to accept donations of expressed breast milk collected prior to donor screening.

MHBMB can only accept breast milk donations from mothers who birthed at Mercy Hospital.

The bereaved donor also meet all other screening requirements expected of breast milk donors.

Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH) Milk Bank

http://www.rbwhfoundation.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=224&Itemid=242

Brisbane, Queensland

2013

The RBWH milk bank does not have a formal policy regarding milk donation after neonatal death. However, the RBWH milk bank was prompted to open a few weeks ahead of schedule due to a large donation of milk from a bereaved mother.

The RBWH milk bank supports breast milk donation after neonatal death and actively offers the option of donation to bereaved mothers.

The bereaved donor also meet all other screening requirements expected of breast milk donors.