COVID-19
If you are breastfeeding and have symptoms of or confirmed COVID-19, take steps to avoid spreading the virus to your baby:
- Wash your hands before touching your baby
- Wear a face mask, if possible, while feeding at the breast
- Wash your hands before touching pump or bottle parts and clean all parts after each use
For additional information on pregnancy and breastfeeding from the Centers for Disease Control, click here.
The healthiest food for a newborn is milk from their mother. But when a mom is unable to provide her own breast milk, milk from a healthy donor who donated to the milk bank is the next best thing. Because the health of babies is so important, Bronson made a decision to open one of only 24 non-profit milk banks in North America. Our team screens, collects, processes and distributes donated human milk not only to infants in our own neonatal intensive care unit, but to hospitals throughout the nation. Bronson is an accredited milk bank by the Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA).
Advantages of Breast Milk for Babies
In the early stages of life, breast milk can provide several benefits for babies, including a decreased risk of infection and illnesses. However, it is even more crucial for babies who are born premature or sick. Breast milk is:
- Easier for sick babies to digest
- More nutrient dense than formula, allowing for babies to better fight off viruses and bacteria
- Helps premature babies grow and develop properly
Donating to the Bronson Mothers’ Milk Bank
The need for donor milk is always high. If you are a healthy mother interested in donating your breast milk, Bronson is here to help make the process as easy and smooth as possible. One of the ways you can protect babies is by keeping your breast pump clean by following these steps. To learn more about becoming a milk donor, call (269) 341-6146 or email mothersmilkbank@bronsonhg.org.
