The initial years in an infant’s life are instrumental in the development of the infant as a healthy individual. It is suggested that a newborn baby must be breastfed exclusively upto 6 months after birth. Breastfeeding provides the child with necessary nutrients and it helps protect the child against some short and long-term illnesses and diseases. Not being breastfed is associated with an increased incidence of infectious morbidity, including otitis media, gastroenteritis, and pneumonia, as well as elevated risks of obesity, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, leukaemia, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Most of the mothers in India breastfeed their children, some are unable to breastfeed. Some mothers are unable to produce a sufficient supply of breast milk, while others may be taking medications or undergoing medical treatment that is not safe breastfeeding. Thus sometimes it becomes a necessity to feed a child with breast milk arranged from a Milk bank or a Donor.
Although it becomes a necessity, there are numerous risks to the child's health involved in this process. Exposure to infectious diseases, including HIV, chemical contaminants, such as some illegal drugs, and a limited number of prescription drugs that may be present in human milk if the donor has not been adequately screened are some of the risks for the baby. Furthermore, if human milk is not handled and stored properly, like any other type of milk, it could become contaminated and unsafe for children.
To avoid these health risks, a proper screening of the donated milk must be performed to ensure that the milk is healthy for the child. Also a proper storage and supply system must be taken care of.
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