hi

My name is Pat and I'm from Singapore. I'm not an
IBCLC nor a LLLL just a keen supporter of
breastfeeding (where I come from, I'm known as an MBM
- militant breastfeeding mom) and this really, is my
only claim to any breastfeeding credentials. This is
my first time posting on Lactnet. I have been lurking
around reading the great and very informative posts
but have not posted until now.

I need some advice/help/information. Recently a
17-yer-old girl leapt to her death in a local hospital
after giving birth to a 6-month old preemie baby boy.
The baby is now in ICU. When the story broke on local
news, a group of breastfeeding moms (I'm one of them)
wanted to donate ebm for this baby, understanding that
this was the best for the baby.

Unfortunately, there isn't a local milk bank around
and there are no pasterisation facilities. The baby's
grandfather is unwilling to accept the ebm and leaves
it to the docs. The docs are not willing to take the
ebm for fear of complications which may arise from
contaminated milk etc.

We're trying to persuade the grandfather to indemnify
the hospital/docs but this is uphill for us. Its a
tightrope act because we don't want to add so much
pressure that he agrees and then later, if there are
complications etc, coming back to us and saying we
persuaded him.

Does anyone know where I can get online information on
why breastmilk is best for preemies? I have been to
the website for MMBA. I need more hard/'scientific'
facts to back this up. Also, does anyone know if there
is a pasterisation centre near Singapore or even in
Australia? Finally, if we can't pasteurise, what's the
next best thing - boiling? I'm grabbing at straws
becos I hate to see formula being pumped into that
preemie baby.

And oh yes, we're trying to get the media to give this
case some exposure to raise consciousness abt
breastmilk and breastfeeding. I have also written to
the CEO of the hospital to suggest the set-up of a
milk bank to forestall future emergencies like this.
Would be grateful if anyone could give more
suggestions on how best to approach this and to lobby
for the set-up of a milk bank here in Singapore.

Thank you very much for your time.


Pat Chong
Singapore





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