Lifeblood Milk helps more of the tiniest Australians access donated breastmilk
By Laura Klein, PhD, Research Fellow, Milk, Australian Red [...]
Expanding information and care practices for women experiencing lactation after infant death
In recent years, stillbirth and infant death have gained increased attention in the media, and from policy makers, researchers and practitioners. Significantly, however, a mother’s lactation and milk donation options after stillbirth or infant death remain hidden.
Lactation after infant death
Thousands of Australian women experience late miscarriage, still birth, neonatal or older infant death annually. Amidst their grief, some of these women need to manage the onset of lactation. Different women may want to manage lactation differently.
Development and evaluation of formal guidelines for donor selection for human milk banks.
The Red Cross Australia Lifeblood Milk Bank milk donor guidelines were developed using international standards with adaptation to Australian epidemiology. Over the first 12 months of Lifeblood’s Milk Bank operation the authors recorded the number of donors whose milk was not accepted and the reasons for rejection.
Lactation after infant death. Australian Breastfeeding Association
More than 4000 Australian women experience late miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal or older infant death annually.1 The physiological process of secretory activation leading to the onset of breastmilk production is triggered by delivery of the placenta2 and occurs even in the absence of a living infant. Unfortunately many women feel unsupported by their healthcare team when it comes to lactation after infant death.
