Human Milk for Vulnerable Infants: Breastfeeding and Milk Sharing Practice among Ghanaian Women

Abstract

Human milk has the best impact on childhood survival. In Ghana, it is estimated that 43% of women exclusively breastfeed for 0–5 months and only 42% of breastfeeding mothers continue through 20–23 months. Although the Ghanaian government has implemented policies to facilitate exclusive breastfeeding, substantial gaps to achieve optimal newborn health and wellbeing remain. The purpose of this study was to evaluate breastfeeding prevalence and human milk sharing practices among Ghanaian women. Qualitative responses were received from Ghanaian females (n = 1050). In our sample, 81% indicated they breastfed their children and 8% reported ever sharing breastmilk with another mother. Reasons for sharing milk included (i) insufficient breastmilk production of the recipient mother, and (ii) mother’s unavailability prompting women to offer their milk to a crying baby. About 60% of our sample reported that they were not concerned about sharing their milk. Findings present a strong indicator for milk donation towards the establishment of a human milk bank in Ghana. Health promotion efforts should aim at increasing education about the risks involved in milk sharing as well as the benefits of human milk donation through formal and safer channels such as a Human Milk Bank.

Efficacy and safety of acupuncture for postpartum hypogalactia: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Many investigators have reported that PH is the most common cause of breastfeeding failure 5–7. Breast milk has been identified as the gold standard to provide nutritional support for all infants and prevent infant morbidity and mortality 8–10. For mothers, breast feeding can decrease the risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer and type 2 diabetes 11.…”

“…[5][6][7] Breast milk has been identified as the gold standard to provide nutritional support for all infants and prevent infant morbidity and mortality. [8][9][10] For mothers, breast feeding can decrease the risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer and type 2 diabetes. 11 Thus, if a mother's own milk is insufficient, it poses challenges not only to mothers who desire to provide milk for their babies, but also to infants who need optimal nutrition.…”

Acceptability of Breast Milk Donor Banking: A qualitative study among Health Workers in Greater Accra Regional Hospital, Ghana

“…Even though the Ghanaian government has put rules in place to encourage exclusive breastfeeding, there are still significant obstacles standing in the way of achieving the best possible outcomes for newborn health and wellbeing, necessitating the possibility of breast milk banking. In a previous study, 8% of mothers admitted to ever giving breastmilk to another mother without having the milk screened [13]. As a result, it's critical to investigate the WHO suggestion of donor banking for breastmilk, which offers the chance for the milk to be checked before use.…”

Women's perspectives on human milk banking in Ghana: results from a cross-sectional study

“…In light of these challenges, some women and families turn to milk sharing or wet-nursing to fulfill the need for breastmilk. A recent study examining milk sharing practices among Ghanaian women reports that 8% of the sample ( n = 1050) indicated that they had ever shared milk with another lactating mother ( 21 ).…”