Demand for donor breast milk increases locally

DAYTON — Already, Andrill and Paul Gales’ 3-week-old twins have made life exciting.

The pregnancy itself was a surprise. The Dayton couple already has a 12-year-old daughter and a 10-year-old son.

Then, she suddenly went into labor at just 29 weeks pregnant. The girls — Panyiah and Panyla — weighed just over 3 pounds each. For days, their health fluctuated. That’s when nurses at Miami Valley Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit suggested feeding them donor breast milk.

“I was just like, ‘There's no way I’m going to give them somebody else’s milk, and [Paul] was like, ‘Well, we know it’s the healthier option,’” Andrill said.

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The couple ultimately decided to allow the hospital to give the girls milk from the OhioHealth Mothers Milk Bank.

“Within three days, they were thriving,” Andrill said.

Doctors at Miami Valley Hospital’s NICU say breastfed preemies have better brain development, fewer infections and shorter stays in the hospital.

“For our preterm babies, the babies who have to come here and spend time in our Neonatal ICU, breast milk is probably the most important medicine that we can provide for them,” said Dr. Amanda Graf with Miami Valley.

Graff says a mother’s own milk is best for a baby, but some moms can’t supply their own right away — often for medical reasons.

“Our moms who are delivering preterm babies, maybe they’re very ill. Sometimes there are medications that make it not as safe for them to provide breast milk. Maybe they can pump and provide breast milk, but maybe it’s going to take them a couple of days,” Graf said.

The Gales’ twins received donor milk for a week and a half, and now they’re happily growing on their mother’s.

The OhioHealth Mothers Milk Bank ships out about 24,000 ounces a month to NICUs in 14 states and Canada. The milk is pasteurized and the donors are screened and blood tested for HIV, HTLV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and syphilis.

Robin Koronich of Dayton donates what milk she has left over after feeding her 11-month-old daughter Mariana.

“I have some angel babies of my own in heaven, so even though I didn’t get to feed those babies, at least there are some babies that did make it,” Koronich said.

Health experts at the Milk Bank warn against purchasing milk online. A quick search turned up supplies selling for hundreds of dollars — up to $4 an ounce.

“Research has shown when there's money involved, there’s more of a likelihood of tampering with milk,” said Chris Smith, Milk Bank Director of Operations.

Some women may be incentivized to add cow’s milk to their own to stretch the amount, to lie about medications that may affect their milk or neglect feeding their own children as much as they should.

“My fear would be that would compromise the safety of that milk. If you’re willing to pay someone to provide it, it might provide an incentive to maybe be less than honest,” Graf said.

Health experts say it’s safer to count on donations from women who expect nothing in return.

If you're interested in learning more about the OhioHealth Mothers Milk Bank or in becoming a donor, visit the group's website: https://www.ohiohealth.com/locations/womens-health/mothers-milk-bank/, call the OhioHealth Mothers' Milk Bank at 614-566-0630 or email milkbank@ohiohealth.com.

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