TrueCare and UC Health Milk Bank Partner to Help Mothers and Save Babies’ Lives
Interview by Martha Zamora
On August 12, TrueCare held an event with UC Health Milk Bank to teach women about the importance of breastfeeding, give out supplies, and collect breast milk for babies in the NICU.
Challenges for new moms compound when the mother has health issues that keep her from breastfeeding her newborn. UC Health Milk Bank is there to help.
“We screen donors who have extra milk and want to donate it,” said Mayra Rivera, a bilingual coordinator with the program.
Mothers are asked to fill out a questionnaire about their health and to answer some questions. A blood test is also performed.
“It’s always safer to do donations through a milk bank just to make sure there’s no risk of transmittable diseases or medications that are not safe for babies,” Mayra said.
Mayra hopes Latina moms will learn about the program and how it can save babies’ lives. “I know Latinas are always willing to help,” she said.
The components in breast milk help babies develop a better immune system, leading to lower rates of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, and a higher IQ. Donated milk is also better than formula because it protects against bowel problems that can affect newborns.
UC Health Milk Bank is on Facebook and Instagram. Mayra Rivera can answer your questions in English and Spanish. Also, visit https://hmi.ucsd.edu/programs/milk-bank.html
