Volunteers and McAlister's Deli Help Baptist's NICU Start Mother's Milk Program

Contact: Robby Channell, 601-968-5135 rchannell@mbhs.org

Jackson, Miss. - December 3, 2004 - With contributions from Baptist Volunteer Services and McAlister's Deli, Baptist Neonatal Intensive Care Unit has been able to start the Mother's Milk Program. Analyzers that test the mother's expressed milk for the highest calorie and fat content are now available. This milk is what the infants crucially need in the first few weeks. The other milk is saved for when calorie content is not as crucial. Also, freezers, refrigerators, a progress journal for the mothers, and two technologically advanced breast pumps that mimic a baby directly nursing are available as well.

These pumps are also available for rental from the Birthplace Boutique once the baby is discharged.

Low and extremely low birth weight babies are admitted to Baptist's NICU regularly. Last year there were 84 babies that fell into these categories. One of the greatest risks for these babies is infection, especially in the intestinal tract. It has been proven that by feeding these babies the mother's milk, the intestinal tract is guarded from infection and prepared for later feedings. There are properties in the mother's milk that cannot be manufactured----except by the mother. She is actually capable of producing just the right properties for her individual baby.

:: Click here for more information about Baptist's NICU unit.

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