Supporting breast milk for babies in NICUs
We support breastfeeding, especially for premature and medically vulnerable
babies in our NICUs. These babies benefit most from the unique nutritional
properties of breast milk and the protection it offers against infections. This
aligns with the World Health Organization (WHO) policy on neonatal nutrition
which promotes exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a baby's
life.
Through our Ncelisa human milk banking initiative, we are able to make safe, age
appropriate donated breast milk available to vulnerable babies not only in our
own
hospitals but also to babies in public sector hospitals – at no cost –whose
mothers
are unable, for whatever reason, to provide them with their own breast milk.