Lactation consultant Janine Parsons and maternity quality and safety leader Lou Rowden check milk before it's stored in the new freezer. Photo: Supplied / Te Whatu Ora
The response to a new breast milk bank at Whangārei Hospital has been so overwhelming organisers have had to buy a bigger freezer to store the flood of donations.
Lactation consultant Janine Parsons said 45 litres of milk from 15 donors had been pasteurised since the bank opened in July.
So far, donated milk has been used to nourish 38 newborn babies.
With no money in the budget for a second, bigger freezer, the Northland Community Foundation stepped in with a grant from its Health Fund Plus.
Parsons said the response from Northland mothers had been huge.
"We actually had to put a few donors on hold because we didn't have the storage capacity in our freezer," she said.
"I think women really feel the need to help out other women … if they are able to breastfeed their own babies, they have huge compassion for mothers that are unable to provide enough. It's such a special thing that women like to do, to help out other mums who are in the same boat as them."
The bank's first donor, mum Ashlee Robinson, with Whangārei Rotary Club South past president Jenni Moore, who led the fundraising campaign for the $33,000 pasteuriser. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
Parsons said some women had donated large volumes, 5-10 litres in some cases.
That went a long way because in their first few days of life babies drank only tiny amounts at once, between 3 and 25ml.
Being able to give newborns human milk instead of formula made a big difference, Parsons said.
"It helps kickstart their immune system and also gives protective benefits against any bacteria or viruses going around in their environment. It's a big boost for their immune system they wouldn't get otherwise."
Northland midwifery director Sue Bree said the response had been "incredible".
"We're overwhelmed by the generosity of our community. The donations meant we quickly needed more storage capacity, and we were fortunate to receive support from Health Fund Plus for a new freezer. It's a wonderful example of collaboration making a real difference."
Bree said Northland was part of a growing network of public milk banks, joining Christchurch, Wellington, Nelson, and Blenheim.
Ashlee Robinson watches as her milk is stored in the milk bank's original freezer until needed. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
The new service has been made possible by a fundraising campaign launched in 2023 by Whangārei Rotary Club South.
With the help of Whangārei City Rotary and Whangārei Lions, they raised $32,900, allowing the hospital to buy a vital pasteuriser.
"Their commitment reflects the deep care Northlanders have for whānau and pēpi [babies]," Bree said.
She said new mums who wanted to find out more about Whangārei Hospital's He Piripono Waiū Milk Bank should talk to their midwife or lactation consultant.
Photo: 123RF
Meanwhile, Parsons said the positive response so far had encouraged her to try expanding the service to cover hospitals in Kaitāia and Kawakawa.
"We definitely want to help them out. While they might not be able to get their own pasteurisers, we'd like to be able to support them by shipping milk up to them for their babies, in their wards, as well."
Parsons said staff felt proud Northland had managed to get a milk bank up and running before Auckland.
She was grateful to managers who gave the project "the big tick", Whangārei Rotary Club South members for their tireless fundraising, and the country's other milk banks for their advice and support.
