| The Breast milk bank collects, stores, tests, pasteurizes and distributes breast milk in perfect condition to all babies in Montevideo who weigh less than 1,800 grams. Breast milk is considered the best food for the growth and development of babies born prematurely. Mothers' milk has all the nutritional and immunological features that favor the formation of healthy flora in newborn babies. The probability that a newborn catches diseases in the short and long term decreases if breast milk is its only food source for the first six months of life. Premature babies who receive breast milk from their mothers or donors have a lower risk of life-threatening diseases and are less likely to develop diabetes, cancer, obesity and high blood pressure throughout their development.
Reaching U supports the work of the Milk Bank since its inception in 2003. In 2010 more than 890 babies were fed milk from the Bank. This program has contributed to eliminating cases of diarrhea within the hospital and has helped to reduce cases of necrotizing enterocolitis, an illness which has a high mortality rate among preterm infants. |
