Today is celebrated for the first time in Spain the Mother's Day Donation Day with the aim of recognizing the importance of breast milk for all babies and paying tribute to mothers who dedicate their time and effort to donate their white gold.
We know that breast milk is of the utmost importance for newborns (and of course for all babies). When the mother, for whatever reason, cannot provide it to her baby, there are milk banks that are in charge of providing it to the little ones who are hospitalized due to prematurity or illness.
Breast milk gives them immunity against possible infections that can be very serious for these children with an immature defense system. It is especially valuable for prevent respiratory or digestive tract infections. Recent research has concluded that drinking breast milk during the first 14 days of life reduces by three times the risk of developing neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis, a serious disease that usually develops in premature babies.
The World Health Organization and UNICEF recommend breast milk exclusively during the first six months and supplemented with solid food at least until two years. Breast milk saves lives, therefore they recommend breastfeeding and milk donated by other mothers in cases where it was not possible.
Currently, there are seven milk banks in the Spanish territory that you can contact if you want to help.
The last good news we have known is the expansion of the milk bank of the Hospital October 12 with Aladina that will provide breast milk to all hospitals in Madrid.
