Mother’s milk is BEST for the BABY even if it is not of the biological mother’s herself!

This is Nabonita Banerjee's Story, in her own words. 

I was born to fight this battle and my daughter taught me to win it. I knew I am a strong WOMAN but on 18th December, 2015, when I was about to get discharged with my 3-days-old daughter I was told by my paediatrician that the green vomit of my daughter is not good and they need to keep her back. While she was taken away for ultra-sonography, CT scan and finally admitted to the NICU I broke down and I knew my strength will be tried and tested once again. 

My daughter was diagnosed with a congenital intestine issue, medically known as malrotation of the gut and the only solution was a surgery. And from then until the 29th of Dec my husband, my parents and I spent hours outside the NICU hoping for the day when she will not spit out anymore green fluid. This also meant that I couldn't breastfeed from the 18th and my breasts were engorged. Doctors gave me medicines and asked me to express milk, not get stressed, eat well, sleep well but nothing worked and I could express at the max 10 ml a day. I was really worried as to how will I provide her breastmilk once she is taken out of Intravenous support as I didn't want doctors to give her formula. I would sit in the NICU and express but it was never sufficient. Seeing my daughter attached to various machines broke me every time I walked into the NICU. 

Then there was a day when the doctors told me that we need to give her more milk and I just thought is there a Breast Milk bank anywhere? First thing that came to my mind was my network, my yoga group and my yoga teacher Rolly mam. The moment I made that call and she told me not to worry, I knew something will work. She helped me connect to a few moms and Ritu was the only angel in my life who was so forthcoming to share with me her breastmilk. I request all the women in this room to break their glass ceilings and not have any inhibitions and not be always worried about societal perceptions but be bold to bring about a change in one’s own life and in the society. 

I still remember the long ride from Hiranandani hospital to Ritu’s house and there she was with a big hug at the door. I can’t thank you enough Ritu, but thank you for sharing as that day your 80 ml breastmilk was the best medicine for my daughter. We have exchanged empty milk bottles vs filled up bottles in the midst of traffic just because we both believed breastmilk is the best for a child during the initial days. This gave me motivation to express and soon I could express 100ml in a day. I just hope one day we have breast milk banks readily available just like blood banks. Believe me, there is always a road not taken and that's the road that's tougher but also greener.

NOTE: This story originally appeared on www.BabyChakra.com

http://www.babychakra.com/learn/1415-mother-s-milk-is-best-for-the-baby-even-if-it-is-not-of-the-biological-mother-s-herself

The pictures are from Nabonita's personal album

Joys of Breast Milk Sharing

World Breastfeeding Week: While breast milk banks have been around for a long time, the concept is yet to gain popularity among new mothers

Barely three days after giving birth to her daughter, Noyonika, Mumbai-based investment banker Nabonita Banerjee was informed about her bundle of joy's congenital intestinal problem that would require surgery. The infant braved the surgery and was recovering, but stressed after the ordeal Nabonita realised that she was barely producing enough milk for her newborn. That's when she thought of reaching out to her immediate group — family and other expectant mothers from the yoga class she attended.

"My yoga teacher connected me with Ritu Mukherjee, who was prompt. We discussed the logistics and soon I was picking up milk that she had expressed and stored in a container," said Nabonita. The two mothers began coordinating their schedules to ensure that both their little ones were given breast milk. For Ritu, an entrepreneur whose son Sabyasachi is now 10-months-old, it was an instinctive decision to agree. It helped that her husband extended his full support. "It was her maternal instinct that I responded to. I put myself in the shoes of the recipient and thought what if it was my baby needed the milk and no one responded," Ritu explained.

She would express milk after feeding her child and store it in a stainless steel container and freeze it. Nabonita would drive down to pick it up from her home. While the concept of breast milk donation is not popular in India yet, breast milk banks have been around for decades. While the Lokmanya Tilak Hospital in Sion was the first hospital to set up such a facility, breast milk banks are also present at KEM, Cama and Albless and the Sir JJ Group of Hospitals in Mumbai.

"There are blood and semen banks that are managed safely. In the same way, breast milk bank can also be handled well," said Dr Nikhil Datar, medical director and senior gynaecologist at Cloud Nine Hospital, adding most infections are not passed through breast milk and the donor can be screened to reduce the chances of any infection to the baby.

For Nabonita though donor breast milk was a boon as it helped her daughter recover faster after the surgery. "Soon, after that I also felt better and I started producing enough milk for my baby," Nabonita added. Ritu now wants to go a step forward is planning to create an informal group that will bring new mothers together so that they can help each other. "Many of us, mothers who want to donate milk are coming together. This would be a group where the older ones will exit and the ones who have just given birth will enter," Ritu added.

Nabonita Banerjee​ with her daughter (left) and Ritu Mukherjee with her family.

About breast milk donation

• The breast milk can be expressed manually or using a pump
• If frozen immediately it can be saved for as long as 6 months
• Breast milk helps new born build immunity
• WHO recommends exclusive breast feeding for first six months
• Breast milk banks store milk from donors at several govt hospitals

NOTE: This story originally appeared in the DNA Newspaper & has been reproduced here.
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-world-breastfeeding-week-joys-of-breast-milk-sharing-from-mums-mouth-2242317