UP's First Lactarium: Providing Mother's Milk to Those in Need
Written by Shaveta Arora, Arushi Sharma
Agra, Uttar Pradesh, is gearing up to launch its first lactarium, a vital resource for providing mother's milk to those in need. Founder Ashok Goyal and Dr. Narendra Malhotra highlight the importance of breastfeeding for newborns.
Agra, Uttar Pradesh, is set to establish its first human milk bank, a lactarium, in the coming years, responsible for collecting, assessing, treating, pasteurizing, and distributing milk to needy mothers.
Ashok Goyal, founder of Help Agra, announced that breastfeeding mothers will contribute lactarium milk. Dr. Narendra Malhotra, former president of FOGSI, emphasized that human milk provides optimal nutritional support to newborns, especially during their first six months, highlighting the importance of breastfeeding.
Collecting Mother's Milk
Deepak Dave, hailing from Maharashtra and known for effectively managing a network of such milk banks, stated that the collected mother's milk can remain safe and viable for up to a year when stored at a freezing temperature of minus 20 degrees. He emphasized that mother's milk is the most beneficial support for a child's immunity and growth.
"A large number of mothers are not able to provide milk for their newborns for various reasons. This puts the child at a risk and stunts their growth," Goyal said. The bank will become operational in three months. Mothers would be able to feed their children and collect supplies in hygienic pouches.
A series of tests will be conducted on collected breast milk to ensure its purity from potential bacteria. The milk will then be stored in bags and frozen for future distribution. This initiative will be beneficial for mothers with chronic illnesses who struggle with breastfeeding, as there is a growing global demand for human milk.
In certain societies, adults with chronic health conditions also benefit from the consumption of mother's milk, which is rich in calories and easily digestible. The International Milk Banking Initiative, established in 2005, lists over 30 countries that provide this service.
"The largest number of beneficiaries of this initiative would be premature babies with gastro disorders and metabolic issues. The mothers would have a choice to either go for formula milk or natural mother's milk stored at the bank," Goyal said.