Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a painful bowel disease which can cause parts of the intestines to die (necrosis) and need to be surgically removed, is the #2 killer of premature babies and the #10 killer of all babies. But the use of an all human milk diet can lower the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) by 79%. One local organization is working to make educate moms and make donor milk more readily available.
On Friday, May 13 at 10 am, Hunterdon County will host its first-ever Miracle Milk Stroll, with walkers meeting at the Bridge Cafe at 8 Bridge St in downtown Frenchtown. Hunterdon County will be joining with thousands of parents, friends, families and community members around the globe as they participate in this third annual event. In conjunction with Best for Babes Foundation, the Miracle Milk stroll will help save the lives of premature and fragile babies by increasing awareness of and access to a mother’s own milk and donor milk in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
In its most recent policy statement on breastfeeding and human milk, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) states unequivocally that “the potent benefits of human milk are such that all preterm infants should receive human milk… If mother’s own milk is unavailable despite significant lactation support, pasteurized donor milk should be used.”
As Best for Babes Co-Founder, Danielle Rigg explains, “Our goal with this event is to create a nationwide consumer-driven platform to raise awareness, funds and milk donations to help make human and donor milk the standard of care in NICUs everywhere. We seek to provide NICU mothers with stellar support and help reduce suffering and deaths. Together, we can get more Miracle Milk® to more fragile babies.”
The 2016 Miracle Milk® Stroll is currently being hosted by volunteers in more than 60 sites across the U.S. and Canada with locations growing daily. Registration requires a donation, and anyone can make a donation even if they cannot attend. The purchase of the 2016 Miracle Milk® Stroll t-shirt is optional.
2016 proceeds benefit Best for Babes and its nonprofit partners: the Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA), Breastfeeding Committee of Canada: Baby-Friendly, NEC Society, La Leche League USA and the United States Lactation Consultants Association (USLCA). Funds are used to educate parents, health care providers, medical directors and hospital administrators about the critical role of human milk and donor milk in a premature, fragile or compromised infant’s diet, and increase access to donor milk in the NICU.
To register for the Hunterdon County Miracle Milk stroll, visit http://www.miraclemilk.org/product/stroll-registration/.
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