'I'm glad to be helping mothers of premature babies do all they can for their child'

A MEATH woman who has been donating breastmilk to help save the lives of very ill babies is speaking out to encourage other mums to donate their milk to The Milk Bank.

Maria Ui Ruairc has been donating milk since her daughter was born in October, and wants other mothers to consider it.

The Milk Bank at the South West Acute Hospital in Fermanagh provides human milk to neonatal babies all over Ireland, playing a major role in their development.

Maria breastfed her son before her daughter and is aware of the many very positive effects.

"When I read about how breastmilk can save the lives of premature babies by protecting them from certain infections I knew I wanted to get involved. I’m glad too to be helping new mothers of premature babies who want to do everything they can for their child but who are struggling to provide enough or unable to feed themselves."

For Maria, it has been a very positive experience and she would encourage other mums to consider it.

"I can only donate until my baby is six months old, so I’m hoping that by writing this I can encourage more women to get involved and keep a steady supply coming from Meath.

Maria, who is married to Sinn Fein TD Deputy Darren O'Rourke and who herself is a former Meath county councillor, gave birth to her little girl, Eadaoin, last October. The couple also have a three-year- old son, Art.

"Our baby girl was born in October and I started pumping in hospital for some relief as I was producing more than my newborn daughter needed. The staff at The Rotunda lent me all the equipment required and stored the milk for me until I was going home.

"I had heard of breastmilk donation sometime after I had finished feeding Art and before Eadaoin was born and had it in mind to donate if I had enough to spare.

"One week after I got home I had a plentiful back-up stock in the freezer for my daughter so I got in touch with The Milk Bank (TMB) at the South West Acute Hospital in Fermanagh and got started."

Maria had to complete an initial health screen questionnaire and answered further questions to confirm eligibility.

"I did this by phone and e-mail from home in Skryne, and I was given the go ahead to start collecting as soon as my start-up pack arrived in the post.

"The pack arrived a few days later and contained 10 x 100ml sterile collection bottles in ziplock bag, blood sample collection box, security seals and paperwork."

The collection went well so Maria got in touch with The Milk Bank (TMB) in the first few days and asked them to send on a further 30 bottles.

"I reckoned I could store about 40 in my freezer at one time before I’d need to get them on their way. When I was down to the last few bottles I contacted TMB to arrange my first pick-up. This was set for two weeks after I filled the last bottle to ensure I didn’t develop Covid or any other infection in the interim. I got a blood sample taken at Navan Hospital on a Thursday and met the blood bike driver there again on Sunday morning for handover of sealed bags of milk bottles, sealed blood sample collection box (first collection only) and completed paperwork."

Maria explains that in terms of practicalities, each donor needs to have their own pumping equipment and a suitable freezer with adequate storage space and it’s important to carefully follow guidelines for cleaning and storing equipment.

"Donors also have to strictly limit caffeine and alcohol intake and any new illness or medication must be discussed with TMB before continuing to donate.

"I tend to use my single electric pump for 20 minutes or so mid-morning, while my daughter is having a nap after feeding and while my three-year-old is happily watching cartoons.

"If I want to collect a little more I use a silicone pump later in the day while breastfeeding my daughter. Donating has not impacted on our breastfeeding routine and the amount I’ve been able to donate has increased as my daughter has grown.

"The national blood bike network transport the milk to the hospital in Fermanagh, they arrange to meet me at Navan Hospital at a time that suits on a Sunday. I just pack it in a freezer bag with cold blocks and drive straight there."

The Milk Bank opened in August 2000 and since then it has helped hundreds of neonatal babies all over Ireland. In 2019 it received a total donation of 1229703 ml from 266 donors, supplying milk to 22 neonatal units across the island.

For those interested in donating, information is available from westerntrust.hscni.net/service/human-milk-bank

Human Milk Bank | Western Health & Social Care Trust Our Service.