I am posting this for Ellen Shell; please direct all responses to her at
[log in to unmask], as well as cc'ing the list; I am currently no mail
until after the weekend. Thanks-- Lisa
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I am a lactation consultant and director of the Lactation Institute in
Encino, CA USA.  I have a client and dear friend who had a extreme
complications in childbirth last night.  She may not be able to
breastfeed her baby at least right away.  The family is exploring use of
alternates to feeding.  The family is halev israel.  The father thinks
that they could only use donor milk from a Jewish woman who keeps Kosher.
 Is this true?

The problem is that the certified breastmilk banks in the US do not have
milk so designated.  They may be able to get milk from a vegetarian
mother--but the supply is short right now and there aren't many choices.
Wouldn't human breastmilk that is tested, from carefully screened donors,
and pasturized from a certified US milk bank be preferable to formula?

Milk bank milk is pooled and pasurized so it is safe.  Milk banks are
under the supervision of the same agency as blood banks.  One doesn't
question the kosherness of blood, obviously because it is life saving.
But healthy alternatives to a mother's own milk have not been carefully
explored in light of the modern information about disease transmission
and side effects of artificial infant milks.  This family also has high
allergic problems, so breastmilk over cow milk formula is important for
that reason also.  Especially since the availability of halev israel
similac or enfamil may be very difficult or not even available.  Soy
formulas are no longer recommended and even banned in some countries
(England for one).  They contain high amounts of phyto-estrogens, for one
thing, and there is strong evidence that high levels of estrogen for
expesially boy infants may be very damaging to sexual development.

(If you would like more information on milk banking and artifical infant
milk (formula) please let me know.)

Thank you for your consideration.
Ellen Shell, IBCLC