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One woman who has donated enough lifegiving breast milk for over 50 babies is championing the vital cause that deepened her own sense of wellbeing while she grappled with newborn challenges.

Mother of two, Amber Jade de Beer, began donating breastmilk after the birth of her first child when she joined a regular mothers’ group at the Stork’s Nest Clinic at Netcare Blaauwberg Hospital. “Like so many women, I was experiencing a bit of postpartum depression and found support in the community of moms there.

“I had heard about breastmilk donation, but after learning more about it at the hospital, I decided to sign up, as I happened to have an oversupply of milk. Being able to give back in this way gave me an added sense of purpose during those early months, and when I had my second baby recently, I didn’t hesitate to donate again,” said Amber.

Candice Willemse, milk handler for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Netcare Blaauwberg Hospital, notes that the proven health benefits of breastmilk are significant for newborns, and even more so for premature babies who have an immature gut.

Amber Jade de Beer, right, has donated over 150L of breast milk over time – a selfless gift for newborns and premature babies whose mothers are unable to provide this lifesaving source of nourishment, according to Candice Willemse, left, milk handler for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Netcare Blaauwberg Hospital.

 

“If mothers are unable to provide breastmilk for their own baby, then we rely on donor breast milk to ensure medically vulnerable infants receive the nutrients and antibodies their developing systems need. Due to the high concentration of antibodies in breastmilk, premature babies who are given donated breastmilk face a significantly lower risk of illness, such as necrotising enterocolitis, which is an infection of the intestines and remains a leading cause of death in newborns,” she says. According to Verena Bolton, national coordinator of Netcare Ncelisa human milk banks, over 4 690 babies have received donated breast milk since the inception of Netcare Ncelisa human milk banks in 2017, which operates under the aegis of the Netcare Foundation. The initiative collects, stores and distributes breast milk to infants in both private and public sector hospitals, free of charge. “All mothers who are eligible and who have excess milk can begin to donate once the screening process and blood tests are completed, which are done at no cost to the donor. Breast milk from eligible donors is processed in accordance with strict protocols and regulations to ensure absolute safety for the infants who receive it,” she explains. Willemse adds that Netcare Ncelisa human milk banks provide the breast milk bags and instructions for proper storage. Donations can be dropped off at any one of Netcare’s 35 human milk collection sites around the country. Depending on the donor’s location, transport can also be arranged to have the milk collected.

 

“We accept all donations made through our existing processes up to when the donor’s own baby is six months old, as we supply milk to newborn and premature infants who require milk with the right levels of antibodies,” she says.

For Amber, expressing milk and making trips to the hospital was something she slotted into her routine, but she recently had a realisation of just how meaningful a contribution she was making.

“I never gave it much thought until a recent support group at the hospital, when one of the other moms asked about the cooler box I had with me. When I explained I had just dropped off a breastmilk donation, three other moms were suddenly giving me the most heartfelt thanks – their babies had all been in the neonatal intensive care unit in recent months and had all needed donated breastmilk. That’s when I realised what a powerful impact even the smallest donation can have.

“Candice jokes that she wants me to keep having children, then she knows the freezers will always be stocked for those little lives that need breast milk, because sadly, donors are few and far between. Every drop counts, so if ever you are considering dumping excess milk down the drain, know that the option exists to donate and make a very real difference,” she says.

Willemse highlights the significance of becoming a breastmilk donor, thanking Amber and others who have reached out to help babies in need by making donations through Netcare Ncelisa human milk banks.

“Between her first set of donations in 2022 and now this year, Amber has provided more than 150L of breast milk – and counting. Her selfless gift is benefiting not only the recipients at our hospital but also other Netcare facilities. Despite her busy family life and career, her willingness to help has not waned, and we are truly grateful. To us, Amber is a Supermom,” Willemse concludes.

Women who are interested in becoming breast milk donors can contact any Netcare hospital with maternity facilities for more information or visit the Netcare Ncelisa human milk banks web page by following this link: https://bit.ly/3EVR355

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