Contents
What is the origin of lactariums?
The first lactarium was founded in 1910 in the United States and it was in 1947 that the first French lactarium was built, at the Institut de périculture in Paris. The principle is simple: rCollect their surplus milk from volunteer mothers, analyze it, pasteurize it, then distribute it on medical prescription to babies who need it. Today there are 36 lactariums spread over the whole of France. Unfortunately, their collection remains insufficient in relation to demand. Donors are indeed few in number because the donation of milk is still little known in our country. Concerning the organization, each center is placed under the direction of a pediatrician or an obstetrician gynecologist, and operates according to the rules defined by the ministerial decree of 1995, updated in 2007 with a “Guide to good practices” .
Who is the milk collected from the whey intended for?
The nutritional value of breast milk and the protection it offers against certain infections in term newborns have long been known. For premature babies, breast milk has irreplaceable biological properties that promote their growth, improve their neurodevelopmental prognosis and prevent certain frequent pathologies such as ulcerative necrotizing enterocolitis. Milk donation is therefore aimed primarily at the most fragile infants because breast milk is perfectly suited to the immaturity of their intestines. But we also use it for feed babies suffering from gastroenterological pathologies, severe renal failure or rebellious intolerance to cow’s milk proteins.
Who can donate milk?
Any woman who is breastfeeding can donate milk for up to 6 months after giving birth. Regarding the quantities, you must be able to provide at least a liter of lactarium milk over a period of 10 to 15 days. If you have sufficient capacity, just call the lactarium closest to your home to compile a medical file. This file includes a questionnaire to be completed by yourself and sent to your attending physician in order to check that there are no contraindications to donating milk. There are in fact certain restrictions on the donation of breast milk, such as taking medications incompatible with breastfeeding, a history of transfusion of labile blood products, sexually transmitted diseases, the consumption of alcohol, tobacco or drugs, etc.
Tests for transmissible diseases (HIV, HTLV, HBV, HCV) are also carried out during the first donation and then renewed every three months. They are taken care of by the lactarium.
How is the milk collected?
As soon as your medical file is accepted, a lactarium collector will drop off at your home all the equipment necessary to collect your milk: breast pump, sterile bottles, labeling labels, etc. You can then start to express your surplus milk at your own pace, respecting a few precise hygiene measures (daily shower, breast and hand cleaning, cold or hot sterilization of equipment, etc.). The milk must then be cooled under a tap of cold water, then stored in your freezer (- 20 ° C). A collector will come and collect it from your home every two weeks, with an insulated cooler in order to respect the cold chain. You can stop giving your milk whenever you want.
How is the milk distributed?
Once the milk is returned to the lactarium, the donor’s complete file is re-examined, then the milk is thawed and repackaged in 200 ml bottles before being pasteurized. It is then refrozen at – 20 ° C while awaiting the results of bacteriological examinations, intended to verify that it does not exceed the authorized germ threshold. It is then ready and can be stored for six months. The milk is distributed mainly to hospitals, which order from the whey the number of liters they need, and sometimes directly to individuals on medical prescription.
What are the other missions of lactariums?
Whey can also take care of the pasteurization of the milk that a mother expresses for it to be given to her own hospitalized child. It is then a question of “ personalized milk donation “. In this case, the new mother’s milk will never be mixed with any other milk. The advantage for a premature baby is to receive milk naturally adapted to his needs because the composition of breast milk is different if the woman gave birth at term or prematurely. In addition to the collection, analysis, processing and distribution of breast milk, lactariums are also responsible for mission to promote breastfeeding and milk donation. They act as an advisory center on these topics for young mothers, but also for health professionals (midwives, nurses, neonatal services, PMI, etc.).