Donated breast milk accepted at new WRHA site to help sick, premature babies

WINNIPEG — The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority is opening a site where registered donations of breast milk will be accepted.

The Birth Centre on St. Mary’s Road is to start accepting milk Jan. 4.

Health Minister Sharon Blady says studies show breast milk is better for sick or premature babies than formula.

She says there can be a number of reasons why a mother may not be able to provide breast milk for her baby.

Blady also says some of the complications that lead to premature births may also prevent a mother from feeding her newborn naturally.

The donated milk will first be stored in Winnipeg, then sent to Calgary for pasteurization and stored at NorthernStar Mother’s Milk Bank where it can be purchased from across Canada.

“This new milk drop site will help families ensure premature and sick babies get the best possible start in life by providing pasteurized donor human milk an infant needs to not only survive, but thrive,” she said Wednesday in a release.