Representations of women milk donors on donations for the human milk bank

Wanessa Debôrtoli de Miranda,Maria Imaculada de Fátima Freitas,Maria Cristina Passos,Palmira de Fátima Bonolo

doi:10.1590/1414-462x201600020029

Wanessa Debôrtoli de Miranda, Maria Imaculada de Fátima Freitas + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/1414-462x201600020029

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Abstract

Abstract Human milk banks (HMBs) have difficulty maintaining and increasing their stocks, and the number of women enrolling as members remains low. The present qualitative study, based on social representation theory, aimed to understand women’s representations of the milk donation experience. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews conducted in 2013. In total, 12 women aged 18 to 39 years old participated in the study. Most were primiparous, married or living with a partner, housewives, completed high school, and belonged to lower economic classes. Four categories emerged from the testimonies: human milk donation; representations about human milk banks (HMB); the importance of breastfeeding for the baby and for one's conceptualization as a mother; and prenatal care and donation awareness. The main reasons for donating were representations that value breastfeeding, human milk, and the donation act. These mothers had difficulties donating, but the rewarding feeling, the value of this practice, and the support they received from people important to them helped with the donation. The findings related to the value of the donation and breastfeeding provide ways to effectively encourage and motivate potential donors, achieving comprehensive care starting from the prenatal period.

Highlights

Concern about providing an adequate supply of human milk for premature infants or debilitated infants with low birth weights who do not receive milk from their own mothers has led women who are willing to donate their excess of breast milk to human milk banks (HMBs)[1,2].In addition to its importance in child nutrition, maternal milk has been emphasized in premature infant diet due to its clinical importance[3]
The group under investigation consisted of 12 human milk donors
The sociodemographic characteristics of the women who participated in this study were similar to those of participants in other studies of human milk donors

Summary

▄▄INTRODUCTION

Concern about providing an adequate supply of human milk for premature infants or debilitated infants with low birth weights who do not receive milk from their own mothers has led women who are willing to donate their excess of breast milk to human milk banks (HMBs)[1,2]. The higher antioxidant protection of human milk compared with its substitutes makes it important in disease prevention during maturity, protecting against conditions as necrotizing enterocolitis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, intraventricular hemorrhage, and prematurity retinopathy[4]. Some factors associated with donation were excessive milk production and knowing that another baby needs the milk. Human milk donation is still minimally explored in the scientific literature[1,5,6]. Given the lack of studies, researchers have emphasized the need for more research on human milk donation that highlights donors’ demographic profiles and their motivations, feelings, attitudes, and beliefs concerning this practice. In view of the various psychosocial factors involved in human milk donation, the present study aimed to understand milk donors’ representations of the donation experience[1]. The present study is expected to contribute to the elaboration of strategies for raising the awareness of potential donors

▄▄METHODOLOGY

▄▄RESULTS

▄▄DISCUSSION