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Breastfeeding
BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre provide support for breastfeeding families through Lactation Services. This family centered program offers clinical support and information to families in hospital and as out-patients. We also provide information and support to healthcare providers throughout B.C.
In addition, we operate the BC Women’s Milk Bank. The Bank screens donors, collects, and pasteurizes human milk. Pasteurized milk is available by medical prescription to babies.
Our specially educated, nurse lactation consultants provide these services to mothers and babies.
Our Mission Our program is committed to promoting, protecting, and supporting breastfeeding. We recognize that you have the right to make informed choices about feeding your infant, to have those choices respected, and that breastfeeding promotes healthy babies and mothers.
Therefore, we work to support the worldwide recognized goal of supporting and encouraging women to exclusively breastfeed from birth to six months and to continue breastfeeding until two years of age and beyond.
We recognize that the care you receive during pregnancy, birth, and the newborn period affect your breastfeeding experience, so we put into action the practices in the WHO/UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative (1991) and Promoting and Supporting Breastfeeding: The Special Role of Maternity Services (1989).
Practices that encourage bottle-feeding, the giving of free breast milk substitutes, or that display and advertise infant formula create an environment that discourages women from breastfeeding. Therefore, we support and promote the “WHO Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes.”
Our Services
BC Women's Milk Bank
FAQ About Donor Milk
Resources
We provide the following services:
- Consulting with women in B.C Women’s and BC Children’s hospitals
- Breastfeeding outpatient clinics on Mondays and Thursdays
- Prenatal multiples breastfeeding classes
- Professional education for our staff
- Professional education and support for health care providers throughout B.C.
Our nurse lactation consultants work (and carry a pager) six days a week (Monday through Saturday) from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
Our patient services are open to everyone. A referral is not required.
To make an appointment, please call 604-875-3135 to make breastfeeding clinic appointments
For Information about breastfeeding, please call:
604-875-2282 or page 604-875-4200 pager 01445 or 01767
Breastfeeding classes - information and registration.
For Information about Milk Banking, please call
604-875-2282 for donor information
604-875-2424 local 7634 for recipient information
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BC Women's Milk Bank
The BC Women’s Milk Bank has operated for over thirty years. It provides pasteurized donor milk to high risk and ill children when their mothers are not able to provide enough breast milk. The pasteurized donor milk is provided with a doctor’s or midwife’s prescription. A processing fee is charged for recipients outside of BC Children’s & BC Women’s Hospitals.
Frequently Asked Questions About Donor Milk
Who are the donors?
Donors are healthy mothers who have completed the screening process. They are able to produce more milk than their babies need.
What does the screening process involve?
Donors complete a short verbal and written questionnaire. Their doctor or midwife is consulted, and blood tests are done at a local lab.
What are the blood tests?
The blood tests include: HIV-1, HIV-2, HTLV-1, HTVV-2, Syphilis, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C.
Why is the milk pasteurized?
Human milk is pasteurized to ensure a safe product. Human milk pasteurization maintains most of the anti-infective properties of fresh human milk.
How much milk do I need to donate?
Mothers need to be certain they meet the needs of their own infant first. Because of the cost of screening, we screen mothers only when they are able to donate at least 3 litres.( 100 oz.) of milk.
How much time will this take?
The time it takes to collect milk varies. Some mothers find that if they pump 30 to 60 mls.(1-2 ounces) each day they have enough milk collected within several weeks.
Do you provide pumps and bottles for storage?
Unfortunately, we are unable to provide pumps or bottles.
How do I store the milk?
Milk can be stored in the clean food safe plastic or glass containers or milk storage bag. Baggies may not be used. Please place it in the coldest part of the freezer– usually at the back.
How do I get the milk to the milk bank?
If you live in Greater Vancouver, we can usually make arrangements to get the donor milk to our Bank. If greater distances are involved please contact us.
Can I donate if I live outside of Canada?
No. Although we appreciate offers from mothers living in the United States, we cannot accept the milk because we cannot complete the screening process.
Can I donate if I live outside of Vancouver or British Columbia?
If you live in Canada but outside Greater Vancouver, we are pleased to talk to you about donating although we cannot pay for the shipping of the milk.
How can I become a donor?
Please leave a message at 604-875-2282.
How do I become a recipient?
Please call and leave a message at 604-875-2424, local 7634. A doctors/midwives prescription is required for donors milk.
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For more information about topics such as breastfeeding or cup feeding your baby, increasing your milk supply, renting breast pumps, and the Donor Milk Bank, see the Family Resource library .
Infact Canada: www.infactcanada.ca
La Leche League Canada: www.LLLC.ca
Quintessence Foundation: www.babyfriendly.ca
There are a number of milk banks in the United States and some will ship milk to Canada. The cost /ounce is approximately $3-$5 US per ounce plus shipping. The current list of Milk Banks in North America is available at www.hmbana.org
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