Human Milk Bank Donor Helps Premature and Sick Infants and Children


Lisa Fozo (37), a Fair Oaks resident, wanted to breastfeed so much that when her two sons didn't latch on, she pumped her own milk and bottle fed it to them. With her first child, Alex, (5) she had an excess of milk and had to discard it. But when she had her second child, Kyle, (15 months) Mercy Hospital of Folsom referred her to Karen Evon, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. Evon is also part owner of Maternal Expressions in Folsom, a maternity and breastfeeding specialty store. Evon advised Lisa to donate her surplus milk to the Mother's Milk Bank in San Jose, California.

The Mother's Milk Bank is the only one of its kind on the West Coast. It ships milk within California, outside of the state, and even occasionally to foreign countries. In the U.S there are six other milk banks: Newark, Delaware; Columbus, Ohio; Denver, Colorado; Fort Worth, Texas; Austin, Texas; and Raleigh, North Carolina. The milk banks are overseen by The Human Milk Banking Association of North America. Milk banks provide human milk for premature and ill infants and children under a doctor's prescription.

Lisa donated 250 ounces to the Mother's Milk Bank after having Kyle. "I wish I had known with my first child so I could have helped more babies, "says Lisa. Evon says, "Mothers who have a surplus of milk may have a larger storage capacity which usually has nothing to do with breast size." Lisa produced 16 ounces of milk in three hours. And in the morning, she could pump 32 ounces in 15 minutes.

Lisa says that her husband Ed was the one who first encouraged her to nurse. He saw how healthy his sister-in-law's children were on human milk, so when Lisa became pregnant, he said "I hope you'll breastfeed."

That's easy to say, but Ed wasn't a passive observer. He bottle fed his infants the breast milk on weekends while Lisa pumped the milk. He also attended breastfeeding classes with her.

But before Lisa could donate the milk, she had to undergo a screening process: Prospective milk donors must meet certain criteria before donating milk. They must be lactating and submit to tests for Hepatitis B and C, Syphilis, HIV 1 and 2, human T cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV) 1 and 2, and Ruebella titer. All viral and bacterial studies must be negative, and a history of systemic diseases such as leprosy and cancer will disqualify prospective donors.

Donors may not smoke, consume alcohol, or take medications or herbal supplements at the time of donation, with the exception of drugs, such as insulin, Syn-Thyroid, and progestin-only birth control pills or injections. After donors pass the health evaluation, they will learn how to express milk with a pump, label glass bottles, freeze the milk and store it in the freezer.

Diana Clarke is a teacher and health educator. Her articles have appeared in newspapers and magazines, such as the San Jose Mercury News, Listen Magazine and the World of English.







Related News




Dublin Noticeboard - Northside People

Dublin Noticeboard
Northside People, Ireland -2 hours ago
BABIES: A Parent and Toddler Playgroup for carers, babies and toddlers, takes place on Fridays from 10.30am to 12 noon at the Sutton Methodist Hall. ...

New Southam children's centre a summer hit - Leamington Spa Today

New Southam children's centre a summer hit
Leamington Spa Today, UK -12 hours ago
Monday:Baby Time,1.30pm to 3.15pm, for babies from birth to 18 months. Wednesday: Stay and Play, 9.30am to 11.30am. Toddler group 1.15pm to 2.45pm. ...

Men accused in babies's deaths face new charges - Monitor

Men accused in babies's deaths face new charges
Monitor, TX -19 hours ago
Authorities said he failed to provide medical care to the toddler in February 2007, causing her serious bodily injury. The little girl died from blunt ...

Teacher, librarian launches online boutique - South Lyon Herald

Teacher, librarian launches online boutique
South Lyon Herald, MI -10 hours ago
Once baby is born, moms can order everything from couture baby blankets, slings and strollers to toddler beds, clothing and personalized lunch boxes. ...

Baby Einstein(TM) Founder Julie Clark and Jennifer Garner Host ... - MarketWatch

Baby Einstein(TM) Founder Julie Clark and Jennifer Garner Host ...
MarketWatch -Aug 20, 2008
The company is famous for its best-selling Baby Einstein brand of DVDs, books, music CDs and toys specifically designed for babies and toddlers, ...

Garner's busy with babies, but also stays in the spotlight - USA Today

Garner's busy with babies, but also stays in the spotlight
USA Today -13 hours ago
Despite her pregnancy, Garner had as much energy as any toddler at the event, jumping up to help the camera crew that was breaking down a set around her and ...

PARENT FRIENDLY AWARD FOR POOL - Arbroath Herald

PARENT FRIENDLY AWARD FOR POOL
Arbroath Herald, UK -7 hours ago
... peace of mind when taking their babies swimming. The swimming pool at Arbroath Sports Centre offers of a six lane pool with attached toddler area. ...

Boys will be boys, girls will be - CNN International

Boys will be boys, girls will be
CNN International -7 hours ago
As toddlers, girls zoom ahead of boys on imitative behaviors such as pretending to take care of a baby but, interestingly, are no different from little guys ...

What’sa girl to do? - Central Plains Herald Leader

What’sa girl to do?
Central Plains Herald Leader, Canada -1 hour ago
... very active toddler or keep up with the manipulations of a teenager. It’s not an easy situation. The country needs more babies to replace the aging baby...

NW Arkansas today - Arkansas Democrat Gazette

NW Arkansas today
Arkansas Democrat Gazette, AR -10 hours ago
Rogers Public Library, 711 S. Dixieland Road: Toddler Story Time, 9: 30 am today; Babies ‘n’ Books, 10: 30 am today; Papa Murphy’s Special Pizza Story Time, ...