[Mama]

<p>An update to the question of whether or not to donate breast milk to help victims of the Haiti earthquake...</p>

<p>Last month, Unicef and the World Health Organization <a href=" http://mamaknowsbreast.com/2010/01/haiti.php">discouraged donations of formula</a>. Then several groups, including La Leche League (LLL) and the Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA) issued an <a href=" http://mamaknowsbreast.com/2010/01/breast_milk_donors_needed_for.php"> urgent call for breast milk donations.</a> <a href=" http://www.breastmilkproject.org/press_haiti.php">The International Breast Milk Project</a> delivered 500 ounces of milk to the USS Constitution to treat infants on board the ship. </p>

<p>But then there was a backlash. There was a <a href=" http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35134523/ns/health-kids_and_parenting/">report from MSNBC</a> that the milk on the ship was not being used. Furthermore, <a href=" http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1953379_1953494_1957614,00. html">TIME magazine reported</a> the WHO and Unicef are discouraging breast milk donations because the mainland of Haiti doesn't have the infrastructure in place to use it. </p>

<p>So where does that leave things? The International Breast Milk Project is <a href=" http://www.breastmilkproject.org/haiti.php">not planning another shipment. </a> And the HMBANA and LLL are now saying that <a href=" http://www.hmbana.org/index/haiti">breast milk donations are not recommended:</a></p>

<p><em>Donor milk, however, is not a solution for the large number of infants and young children affected by the earthquake in Haiti. Members of the public who wish to promote the survival of mothers and babies in Haiti can donate money to the following organizations: UNICEF , Save the Children Alliance, World Vision, and Action Against Hunger. These organizations are using best practice to aid both breastfed and non-breastfed infants. Members of the public can be confident that donations to these organizations will support breastfeeding and help save the lives of babies.</em></p>

<p>If you want to read more on this subject, visit the<a href=" http://breastfeeding.blog.motherwear.com/2010/02/breastmilk-donations-for-haiti-now-discouraged.html"> Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog</a> or <a href=" http://www.blisstree.com/breastfeeding123/breast-milk-donation-backlash-in-haiti/">Breastfeeding 123.</a></p>

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