Antelope Valley Hospital is home to the region’s only neonatal intensive care unit, which cares for more than 400 premature or ill newborns annually. The specialized care these tiny patients receive includes health-boosting breast milk, preferably from their own mothers. However, when the mother has a low milk supply, is ill or on certain medications, or in cases of adoption or surrogacy, breast milk donated by other nursing mothers can be lifesaving. Last year the NICU used 80 gallons of donor milk to treat infants.
“Sick infants and babies born prematurely need the vital nutrients and antibodies found in breast milk,” said Sonja Beck, chair of Antelope Valley Breastfeeding Coalition. “The drive will help increase our breastmilk supply and provide care to newborn babies at our NICU.”
AVH was designated a Breast Milk Depot in 2017 by BreastfeedLA, a nonprofit breastfeeding advocacy organization. AVH is one of only four designated milk collection sites in the county. The designation means breastfeeding moms can now drop off breast milk at AVH to be processed, pasteurized and distributed to infants in need.
Mothers interested in donating breast milk during the May 18 drive will be screened and given a blood test to ensure the safety of their breast milk. Frozen breast milk is appreciated. For details, call 661-726-6210.
[Information via news release from Antelope Valley Hospital.]
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