Medicare Colgate Ltd trades under the brand name SteriFeed. SteriFeed is the worldwide market leader for pasteurisation equipment for Donor Human Milk. Donor Human Milk is given to premature babies and mothers who can’t produce their own milk. SteriFeed supplies over 50 countries worldwide with our life saving Pasteurisation equipment.

SteriFeed started in 1994 in David and Evelyne Colgate’s converted garage in Kerswell selling breast milk storage bottles and teats to NHS hospitals and niche pasteurisation equipment for donor Human milk to U.K. Human Milk Banks. The business grew steadily until 2005, when their son Etienne Colgate joined the company. With Etienne joining the company, the business was able to rapidly increase it sales by having a dedicated sales personel to exhibit and visit all the hospitals in the U.K. as well as focus on international expansion.

The next 15 years saw the company grow year on year to become domestically the UK market leader for baby bottles and teats being used in 90% of all NHS hospitals. Globally SteriFeed has become the market leader for pasteurisation equipment for donor human milk with over 300 pasteurisers running in 50 countries due to having the most safety features of any pasteuriser for donor human milk on the market.

SteriFeed has assisted with the set-up of the first ever Human Milk banks in the following countries; Holland, Portugal, Poland, Greece, Australia, Serbia, Croatia, Estonia, Burma, Malaysia, Turkey, Thailand, New Zealand, Romania, Indonesia, Vietnam, Lithuania, Costa Rica, Israel, South Korea, Hungary, Turkmenistan, Singapore, Kenya, Trinidad, Russia and Japan. We are extremely proud to have been involved in the setup of supplying lifesaving pasteurisation equipment around the world.

A Team Effort Key To Success

The team at SteriFeed have been integral to its success over the last 15 years. The company is currently made up of 11 people, with Daniel Hall, (Materials Manager) Alyson Baker (Management Accountant) Kathryn Struthers (Exports) and John Christian (Warehouse) all having over 10 years of service. As a company we hugely value our staff and celebrate all birthdays at one of the local public houses around the Cullompton area. With such highly valued and long serving team we very much feel like a family unit and we can not thank our staff enough for all their hard work and efforts over the years.

The Queens award is a wonderful recognition to the life time’s work of David and Evelyne Colgate in supplying hospitals with lifesaving products for babies in the U.K. and Worldwide.

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Why are pregnant women at higher risk for respiratory infections in general?

Let’s look at why there’s a higher risk factor for pregnant women. Even with the seasonal flu, pregnant women are more likely to get it than the general population and they’re at higher risk for more severe outcomes if they catch it. Similarly, in the H1N1 epidemic and the SARS epidemic, pregnant women were at higher risk for severe disease and death.

One reason is that pregnant women are in a more immuno-suppressed state. Decreased immune system defenses are a normal physiologic response so that the mother’s body doesn’t reject the pregnancy itself.
Also, the physical changes during pregnancy also compress the diaphragm and reduce lung volumes, so when there’s increased stress on the respiratory system, and have less backup to compensate for the increased work to breathe.

Pregnant women will have milder symptoms, but it also means that if a pregnant woman is symptomatic, she’s probably more sick than a non-pregnant person with the same symptoms.

Can Coronavirus be transmitted in utero, during birth, or through breastfeeding?

Based on cases with similar viruses, It is known that some viruses can be passed from mother to fetus in utero, including Zika, cytomegalovirus, rubella, and measles, and others during delivery, such as HIV, herpes and hepatitis – but respiratory viruses generally are not transmitted.

However an early study from China reported that out of 33 infants born to mothers with COVID-19, three tested positive days after birth, possibly through in utero transmission. Other studies have hinted at the possibility of in utero transmission based on elevated levels of certain antibodies, although the newborns tested negative for the virus.

All together, it’s too early for researchers to know the Coronavirus risk during Pregnancy and how transmissible COVID-19 is between mother and baby in utero, and also how the virus can affect a fetus. Some pregnant women with COVID-19 have had preterm births, but it is not clear whether the preterm births were solely because of COVID-19.

Breastfeeding

So far, the virus has not been found in breast milk. But there is not enough information yet on whether women who are sick can pass the coronavirus through breast milk. Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for most babies, and also gives babies protection against many illnesses. Possibly talk with your midwife or other health care professional about whether to start or continue breastfeeding. You can make this decision together with your family and health care team.

As for breast pumps. Wash your hands before touching any breast pump or bottle parts and clean all pump and bottle parts after use. See the CDC’s advice for cleaning a breast pump.

What can pregnant women and parents of newborns do to stay safe?

Based on what we know from other respiratory illnesses pregnant women should be considered a high-risk group for COVID-19. That doesn’t mean they should lock themselves in their rooms for their whole pregnancy. In addition to the social distancing and hygiene precautions everyone should take, pregnant women are advised to talk to their doctor even if they have very mild symptoms. In particular, fevers should be controlled as quickly as possible because they may cause undue stress to the fetus. Prolonged fever in the first trimester, when organ systems are still forming, are more likely to harm fetal development and lead to birth defects or miscarriage.

But, while there’s a lot we don’t know about this disease, we do know actions we can take to avoid it. It is recommended pregnant women take the following precautions:

• Wash your hands frequently. You’ve heard this advice over and over (and over). But for good reason.
• Practice social distancing. Avoid contact with others unless you absolutely have to.
• Get the flu jab. It won’t protect you against COVID-19, but it will lower the risk of catching influenza, another more common respiratory illness that can cause complications for expectant mothers.
• Get Online. Whenever possible, consider online prenatal visits with your doctor instead of in-person appointments. Some visits will still need to be in-person, such as ultrasounds, fetal testing and some blood tests, but try to do as much online as possible.
• Call your doctor if you’re unwell. If you develop respiratory symptoms such as cough, fever or shortness of breath contact your doctor via telephone or e-visit. They can determine if you should be tested for the Coronavirus and what your next steps should be.

Pregnant women are advised to stay healthy by following the usual recommendations during pregnancy. Including: Eating healthy meals, Exercising regularly (though be mindful to stay at home or away from other people while exercising), getting plenty of rest and sleep, and avoiding alcohol and drugs.

It’s also a good idea to try to keep your mood balanced and keep anxiety to a minimal. Stress for expectant mother’s is not good, and certainly, some pregnant and postpartum women may be feeling fearful, uncertainty, stress, or anxiety because of COVID-19. So seek the support of your partner, friends and family to ease the extra burden and keep your mood positive and anxiety to a minimal.

Risk During Birth at the Hospital

Some expectant mothers are fearful of giving birth in hospital during the Coronavirus outbreak, with many considering home births. However, the general view of medical experts is that the safest place to give birth is still a hospital. The risks of complications are far greater than that of Coronavirus, so the hospital with medical staff is the best place to be.

Medical teams have lots of experience treating pregnant women who have the flu and other respiratory viruses, including SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV. And hospitals have systems for dealing with respiratory diseases. They generally have plans in place for managing Coronavirus risk during Pregnancy, and pregnant women with symptoms of COVID-19 and to reduce exposure of newborns to the disease. As well as protecting healthy mothers and babies from Covid-19 exposure in the hospital from those patients being treated from the disease.

Your hospital or birth centre may have adjusted their policies. For example, there may be changes to the number of visitors allowed and how long you will stay in the hospital. It’s worth checking with your hospital or other health care professional about your birth plan. Nonetheless, giving birth in hospital is widely considered to be safe, and with minimal risk.

Real risk vs. Perceived risk

To conclude, all in all, the risk for pregnant women and babies in utero, and newborns is actually very low. However, it’s best to be well-informed during these times, and if you are expecting a baby, it’s best not to put yourself in harms way, and to take the necessary precautions. That way, you can shield yourself and your baby from the novel Coronavirus.

We hope this post on Coronavirus risk during Pregnancy has answered some of the questions of how the virus is affecting expectant mothers and newborn babies. Keep well and keep safe!

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COVID stability

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Reasons to Breastfeed Your Baby

‘Breast is best’, so they say. But they really do say. There are so many research papers and studies into the benefits of breastfeeding your baby. The World Health Organisation agrees, and recommends breastfeeding to all new mothers:

“Breastfeeding is an unequalled way of providing ideal food for the healthy growth and development of infants; it is also an integral part of the reproductive process with important implications for the health of mothers. As a global public health recommendation, infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life to achieve optimal growth, development and health.” – World Health Organisation

The Benefits of Breastfeeding for Baby

Breast milk provides the ideal nutrition for babies. It has an almost perfect mix of vitamins, protein, and fat – everything your baby needs. Babies that are breastfed get a boost to their immune system which can protect them against nasty bugs, and babies that are breastfed do not get as many colds as babies that aren’t breastfed. The reason for this is the antibodies and nutrients in mother’s milk that are passed to the baby offer protection against infections and viruses. Not only that, it can protect against allergies, diabetes, digestive orders, and even certain types of cancer. It makes bones and teeth strong, and also contributes towards brain growth thanks to fatty acids found in breast milk. Breast milk may even protect your baby from SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).

The Benefits of Breastfeeding for Mums

Lose the Pregnancy Tummy

The process of milk production in nursing mothers burns a significant number of calories, and the more your baby feeds, the more breast milk you naturally produce. All in all this means breastfeeding can help you burn some calories, and even shed the added weight gain of your pregnancy.

Oxytocin is released when breastfeeding, which as well as helping you naturally bond with your baby, this hormone also helps with the shrinking down of your uterus – down to the size it was before you were pregnant. By week one postpartum, it’ll be close to the size it was at 12 weeks pregnant, and by six weeks postpartum, it’ll be very small. Breastfeeding helps accelerate that whole process.

Lower Breast Cancer Risk

Breastfeeding also protects mothers from developing breast cancer. Research shows mothers who breastfeed lower their risk of pre-and post-menopausal breast cancer. This reduces a woman’s lifetime exposure to hormones like estrogen, which can promote breast cancer cell growth.

Other Benefits of Breastfeeding…

Convenience

One of the great benefits of breastfeeding your baby, is convenience. You can feed you baby when and where you want. No worrying about carrying bottles to carry, wash and sterilise. People nowadays are very accustomed to seeing breastfeeding mums nursing their babies in public, and many champion it. Public spaces are also far more aware of mother and baby needs too, and it’s common to find Shopping malls and cafes with private baby changing rooms which includes a space to feed your baby too. These are small things, but help if you’re somewhat shy of breastfeeding in full public view.

Bottle Washing and Cleaning

Yes, you may not exclusively feed your baby from the breast. You may feed formula some of the time along with breastfeeding… This may be if your baby requires a top-up and isn’t receiving enough milk from the breast. There are certainly advantages to breast pumping to have some extra breast milk stored. Maybe you would like your partner to feed the baby, or have an evening out planned and know you won’t be able to breastfeed the baby.

All of the above said, there is nothing more satisfying than having the milk ready to go, without the need to wash and sterilise bottles, warm the milk, etc. This is particularly convenient during night feedings. Instead of stumbling half-asleep into the kitchen and having to warm a bottle of milk, it’s ready for baby right where you are. Multiple feeds during the night… no problem! This may seem like a small thing, but with a screaming baby who is too young to comprehend why the milk has to prepared, having it ready immediately helps a lot. And no bottles to wash!

It’s Free!

Yes there’s an added financial benefit to breastfeeding, with all that naturally produced free milk from mama. As new parents, there are so many things to have to pay out for, so why pay for milk too?! You’re producing the milk, your baby loves it – with all the benefits that brings, and your wallet is better off for it too.

Feel the Benefit

As you can see there are so many benefits of breastfeeding. It really is, all positives, no negatives. There’s a wealth of study and information to back this up, so if you’ve any doubts then do some research, and you’ll see the benefits of breastfeeding.

We hope you have found this post on the benefits of breastfeeding useful. Medicare Colgate – Sterifeed  is UK leader for its range of milk storage bottles and Baby Care Products.

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We are delighted the hospital has chosen the Sterifeed S90 pasteuriser for their Human Milk Bank. We would like to wish Angelika Kaltenböck  and her team all the great success with the Milk Bank in Linz

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Which Foods Should You Avoid During Pregnancy

Soft Cheeses

Pregnant women should avoid mould-ripened soft cheese (cheeses with a white rind) such as brie and camembert, and soft blue-veined cheeses such as danish blue, gorgonzola, etc. which have been found to act as a breeding ground for bacteria known as listeria. Listeria is potentially dangerous for pregnant women. Causing a condition known as listeriosis, the bacteria attack the placenta and uterus lining, ultimately leading to a miscarriage. Hard cheeses are generally safe, and can be eaten. It’s worth checking the full list of what cheeses to eat if you’re unsure.

Undercooked and Raw Meat

While you’re pregnant, you should ensure that any meat you eat is well-cooked to avoid dangerous bacteria. It’s best if all meat is cooked at a temperature of 145F / 62C upwards and for the adequate time.  Bacteria like E.coli, salmonella, & listeria are then killed off in the cooking. As a result, you can avoid the adverse effects of these micro-organisms, including food poisoning, cramping, diarrhoea, and even dangerous infections that can be passed on to your baby. Think ‘well done’ for any meat you are eating and you know you’ll be safe. Deli and processed meats should also be avoided, as these are also vulnerable to listeria contamination.

Unpasteurised Food Products

Pasteurisation is the process of heat-treating milk and other food products to kill potentially harmful pathogens. Unpasteurised milk, fruit juice, and cheeses however, can be harmful to both you and your baby. They can contain the same harmful bacteria as found in raw meats including e.coli, listeria, and salmonella causing stomach cramps, fever, and risk to your unborn baby. To avoid the adverse effects of these bacteria, ensure you only drink pasteurised milk and juices, in addition to drinking bottled or filtered water.

High Mercury Fish

Excessive mercury consumption during pregnancy may cause toxicity which can harm the developing foetus. Fish such as tuna, mackerel, and swordfish should be avoided during pregnancy as they contain high levels of mercury, which are highly toxic. It’s also best to avoid Raw fish such as Sushi as this can also carry risks of food poisoning.

Caffeine

It’s Okay to have an occasional cup of coffee while pregnant, but high levels of caffeine intake (more than 300mg/day) during pregnancy are potentially harmful. It’s recommended that while pregnant you limit your caffeine intake to 200mg per day – equivalent to 1 ground coffee / 2 Instant coffee / 2 mugs of tea.

Thankfully, nowadays there are many decaffeinated coffee (and tea) options on offer, so it’s not like you have to give up coffee for the duration of your pregnancy.

Remember that chocolate and fizzy drinks such as cola also contain caffeine, so be mindful of caffeine in other products. Also, continue to watch caffeine intake after the birth of your baby if you plan on breastfeeding.

Alcohol

This may be the obvious one to avoid during pregnancy, and for many the toughest in terms of adjustment. Even if you’ve not previously been a drinker, social occasions, parties, and events may become a frequent challenge.

But when there is strong evidence that high levels of alcohol consumption during pregnancy cause foetal damage and intrauterine growth retardation, why take the risk.

Most health professionals take a cautious approach and recommend that pregnant women abstain from alcohol consumption completely during pregnancy. Thankfully, many juices and flavoured drinks are on offer nowadays, as well as no alcohol beers and wines too. Just be sure to check the label, some alcohol-free drinks contain a small trace (0.2%) alcohol. Look for the 0.0% brands. 

If you do choose to drink alcohol it’s advised to avoid drinking to the point of intoxication. If you’re sensitive to the effects of alcohol this can be as little as one drink.

What to Eat!?

The time during pregnancy is a very special time, albeit a time with many changes and stresses to your body, and challenges for what you can & can’t eat, and it can seem is if the world is conspiring against you, to make everything that little bit harder. However, with some small adjustments to your lifestyle and diet, it’s possible to make the time being pregnant a time to detox and take care of yourself. Making your body as healthy as it can be for you and your unborn baby. Of course, there are many foods that can still be enjoyed, and many which, are indeed beneficial. Read our Foods to Eat During Pregnancy for more information.

We hope you’ve found this post on Foods to Avoid in Pregnancy useful. Feel free to share, and for more advice or information about Medicare Colgate or Sterifeed products feel free to contact us.

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What Foods to Eat During Pregnancy

Organ Meats

Organ meats such as liver, heart, kidney, and even brains are high in nutrients, which are necessary for growing your baby. These meats are rich in Vitamin A, Omega-3 fatty acids, Iron, B vitamins, folate, as well as many others. They are also an excellent source of protein. Try to eat organ meats at least once per week during your pregnancy for maximum effectiveness, although keep a balance and don’t gorge, as too much Vitamin A can be harmful to your developing baby. Eat organ meats in moderation for the duration of your pregnancy.

Avocados

Avocados are rich in folate, Vitamin C, potassium, and B vitamins, which are necessary for the growth of your baby’s brain tissue. B vitamins also help to ward off morning sickness too, so an added bonus. Avocados are a great way to get healthy fats into your diet and can also help in appetite suppression since they leave you feeling fuller for longer.

Legumes

Legumes are a low-cost and convenient form of protein. Well-known legumes include alfalfa, beans, peas, chickpeas, lentils, lupins, soybeans, and tamarind. They are also high in fibre, which helps among all other things combat the sometimes uncomfortable constipation during pregnancy. Legumes contain folate with one cup providing half of your daily requirement. They can be eaten with brown rice for a super healthy complete protein meal or added to salads and sandwiches.

Dairy Products

Full-fat milk, yoghurt, cheese, and other dairy products are essential during pregnancy. These products calcium, which is necessary to build your baby’s bones and teeth. They are also a good source of protein and can help you to meet your daily requirements. Just make sure all the dairy products you eat while you’re pregnant are pasteurised, as non-pasteurised dairy products can carry dangerous bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, & Listeria, and are especially dangerous for pregnant women and their unborn babies. Generally speaking, hard cheeses are fine to eat, but avoid Soft cheeses such as Brie and Feta. Also make sure eggs are cooked through properly – say goodbye to runny yolks for 9 months.

Leafy Greens

Leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale, Swiss chard, beet greens, collard greens, and others are rich in minerals and vitamins. Dark green leafy vegetables such as broccoli and spinach are great sources of iron which is important during pregnancy. If you’re not the kind of person who enjoys ‘eating your greens’, then try putting them in a blender, and making a super healthy shake.

Water

Not really a food, but as a bonus tip, Water is an essential part of any healthy pregnancy and staying hydrated during this time is even more important. Try to make sure you’re drinking lots of water to help you and your baby stay properly hydrated. It’s worth noting that if you live in an area where the water quality is questionable, it’s advisable to drink filtered or bottled water.

You can check your local water quality report to see what contaminants are in your water supply. High levels of Chlorine and Flouride are common, along with other contaminants. The easiest way to find your local water report is to check your local water company’s website. The report should be publicly available. If that doesn’t work, try Googling the name of your city and “water quality report” to find it. Read more about which water filter option is best for you.

Keeping a Healthy Diet During Pregnancy

When you’re pregnant there can be so many things you have to avoid. It can be very frustrating to have to say goodbye to the glass (or two) of wine, and many of the foods you may enjoy. However there are plenty of super healthy, nutritious, and tasty foods to eat during pregnancy that can be enjoyed, providing so many of the nutrients to keep you on your feet and full of energy as well as giving your developing baby the best start in life.

We hope you’ve found this post useful. Feel free to share, and for more advice or information about Medicare Colgate or Sterifeed products feel free to contact us.

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Wondering if you might be pregnant? Here are some early signs that you might be carrying a bun in the oven, and a few tips on how to manage these crazy symptoms. Here’s our five signs you might be pregnant…

1. Breast Tenderness

Brest tenderness begins very early in pregnancy. It’s caused by changing hormones, and can range from mildly annoying to very uncomfortable. Your breasts will experience changes throughout your pregnancy as you prepare to give birth. Finding a supportive and comfortable bra in these early stages can be useful.

2. Food Aversions

Everyone tends to associate nausea and vomiting, or morning sickness, with early pregnancy. What are not as commonly talked about are food aversions. If you notice that even the sight of your daily scrambled egg makes you feel sick, this might be a sign of early pregnancy. Food aversions are very common during the first trimester, and sometimes lead to a disinterest in eating, which can result in nausea. A cruel cycle! Try to combat these annoying aversions by eating small, frequent, and bland foods. Crackers, bananas, bread, whatever you can stomach. And rest assures that your appetite will most likely return after the end of the first trimester.

3. Fatigue

We all lead busy lives and are no stranger to fatigue. But if you notice that you’re feeling more tired than usual, this could be a sign that you’re pregnant. Even in the earliest weeks of pregnancy your body is undergoing massive changes, which understandably leads to fatigue. Don’t push yourself too hard. Give yourself plenty of time to rest and nap as you need it.

4. Constipation

Let’s be real, we all want to see ourselves as glowing as radiant during pregnancy. But the truth is, it’s not all sunshine and roses. Constipation due to increasing hormone levels is very common throughout pregnancy, even in the early weeks. The best way to combat this pesky problem is to drink lots of water, get 30 minutes of physical activity per day, and talk to your doctor about taking a daily stool softener if you’re in a lot of discomfort.

5. A Missed Period.

This is often the first sign you might be pregnant. Although there are other reasons for missing a period, including stress, excessive exercise, dieting, hormone imbalance and other factors might cause irregular periods. That said, a missed period is also a sure sign you’re pregnant. So if your period hasn’t arrived, then maybe it’s time to take a home pregnancy test or trip to the doctor to see what’s happening. If using a home pregnancy test, you should wait to take a pregnancy test until the week after your missed period for the most accurate result. And if you do get a positive result, it’s best to get that confirmed by your doctor, so you can begin your ante-natal appointments and receive the best care during your pregnancy.

Remember there is a wealth of support for pregnant women and new mums. If your pregnancy is confirmed, then you’re about to begin an amazing journey. Read what to expect week by week of your pregnancy. 

We hope you’ve found this post useful. For more advice or information about Medicare Colgate or Sterifeed products feel free to contact us.

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Antenatal expressing involves expressing colostrum in the final few weeks of pregnancy. It can also be referred to as ‘colostrum harvesting’ and is advocated by some NHS Trusts.

Mothers are normally advised to wait until around 37 weeks before starting antenatal expression. Mums who are having multiple births may sometimes start sooner as giving birth earlier is more likely.

Benefits of Antenatal Expressing?

For some mothers, it can be a useful tool that helps ensure their baby will start life without the need for formula supplementation. The importance of exclusive breastfeeding for all babies has been well-established by scientific research.

Colostrum contains vital immunological properties and helps to colonise the baby’s gut with healthy bacteria that protect against allergy and disease.

It also contains the perfect balance of proteins, fats and micronutrients needed for human babies as well as acting as a laxative to help the passing of their first meconium stools. Some babies may experience difficulties with feeding or maintaining their blood sugar levels during the first few days after birth and therefore may require supplementary feeds, colostrum harvesting can help to ensure babies are given their mothers own milk instead of being topped up with formula.

These include babies:

• Whose mother has gestational diabetes  in pregnancy or who has a history of diabetes.
• Is large or small for their gestational age
• Is a twin or triplet
• Has a cleft lip or palate
• Has Down’s syndrome or a heart complication

Colostrum harvesting can also be beneficial for your baby if you:

• Are taking beta blockers to control high blood pressure
• Have developed pre-eclampsia during pregnancy
• Have polycystic ovary syndrome
• Have breast hypoplasia (a condition in which the breast doesn’t fully develop) or you have had breast surgery
• Have a raised body mass index (BMI)
• Plan to give birth by Caesarean section

How to Start Colostrum Harvesting

If you would like to harvest your colostrum, you can start hand expressing for a few minutes once a day when you are 36 to 37 weeks pregnant. Gradually up to gently expressing for about five to ten minutes at a time, two to five times a day, and then as often as necessary in the first few days after you give birth. If your baby is premature or unwell, you will be encouraged to start expressing within two to three hours of giving birth.

The NHS have more information on how to hand express colostrum.

Sterifeed supply colostrum collection products to hospitals throughout the UK which are also available to mums at home through our webshop or more advice or information please feel free to Contact Us.

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Breast milk is the ideal food for babies. It gives them all the nourishment they need in their first 6 months, and has important benefits for their health & development – both immediately and as they grow. Breast milk is particularly important for premature and ill babies. However, there are time when mothers of premature babies are unable to provide breast milk.

In situations such as these, the baby may be given breast milk donated by another breastfeeding mother. Their milk is pasteurised by the human milk pasteurising process and stored by a Breast Milk Bank. There is growing evidence that breast milk improves the brain development of infants and that breastfeeding can increase a baby’s brain growth by 20 to 30 per cent, as well as the many other benefits of babies who receive donor milk. Read more on how to donate breast milk…

How to Become a Breast Milk Donor

There are several factors to be aware of when thinking of becoming a breast milk donor such as the following: Further information can be found about this from the NICE Guidelines.

• Your first donation must be made before your baby is 4 months old and usually must be a minimum of 2 litres
• You are successfully breastfeeding your baby who is less than 9 months of age
• The first donation must be within 4 months of starting breastfeeding
• You are and remain in good health
• You already have stored milk that your own baby doesn’t need (following the screening process)

When Can You NOT Donate Breast Milk

• If any member of your household smokes
• You use any type of nicotine replacement therapy including patches, chewing gum or inhalators (vaping)
• You take certain medication (acceptable replacement drugs include Thyroxine, Insulin, Ventolin and Mini Pill (Progesterone only)
• You have had a vaccine to prevent you contracting yellow fever in the last six months
• You have recently returned from an area of the world where certain infectious diseases are present (according to national guidance)

How Long Can I Donate Breast Milk for?

Milk bank staff will discuss with you how long you can continue to donate milk. There are some circumstances where you may need to stop donating, either for a short time or permanently. Milk bank staff should ask you to contact them to discuss stopping your donations temporarily if you develop a temperature or have been exposed to a virus that causes a rash, such as measles, chicken pox or German measles (also known as rubella)

Where Is My Nearest Human Milk Bank?

In order to find your closest milk bank simply visit the UKAMB – it’s a registered charity that supports milk banking in the UK.

Sterifeed is the UK and World market leader for supplying Pasteurisation Equipment for Donor Human milk banks. For more advice or information feel free to Contact Us.

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The Pasteurisation Process

The Pasteurisation process involves controlled heating followed by controlled refrigerated cooling. The milk is initially heated to 62.5c and held at this temperature for 30 minutes, thereafter is cooled as quickly as possible to limit the regrowth of any bacteria. The final temperature of the milk after pasteurisation should be 4c as per NICE Guidelines.

Benefits of Donor Human Milk

Donor Human Milk provides nutrition digestive enzymes, immune factors of many types, growth factors, hormones and other bioactive factors. Other benefits of human milk for preterm infants that are suggested are that breastmilk empties from the stomach faster, human milk matures the intestines faster, and results in less feeding problems than formula. Reaching full feedings faster means fewer days of IV’s, less side effects from TPN, less infections and infiltrations from IV’s, and less costly and fewer hospital days. Breastmilk-fed infants have reduced risk of contracting necrotizing enterocolitis (a severe intestinal infection), less blood infections, and a reduction in other infections such as urinary tract infections. Infants fed breastmilk tend to have higher IQ scores, improved vision and less retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Enzymes in breastmilk help immature infants absorb and use food more efficiently.

Sterifeed Human Milk Pasteurisers

Sterifeed are the global market leader for the pasteurisation of human milk. There are around 400 Sterifeed Pasteurisers currently being used in 45 different countries world wide. Sterifeed Pasteurisers for donor human milk adhere to all the Human Milk Banking guidelines around the world such as National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE), Human Milk Banking Association of North America ( HMBANA ). In the past year Sterifeed has sold pasteuriser to treat mother’s milk to 18 different countries around the world. Sterifeed pasteurisers have been under continuous development since the 1980’ with valuable input from Neonatologists, Microbiologists and Dieticians.

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We would also like to thank Sheryl Tay from the company the Baby Specialist for all her hard work and assistance, distributing, installation and providing on-going customer service and support to the milk bank

Please kindly visit the below link for further information.

https://www.kkh.com.sg/AboutUs/PressRelease/Pages/MilkBank.aspx

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First Milk Bank Opened in Lithuania

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Please kindly visit the link to see the milk banks website to view the highly informative video of the milk journey showing, Sterifeed Bottle Sealer, Sterifeed S180 Pasteurizer and data logger.

http://northernstarmilkbank.ca/milk-banking/pasteurization-process/

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The quality of these products have been proven globally through generations of use on over 100 million babies. The brands have been in the market for 60 years due to quality of the products.

Products include:

• U- BAG ®
• AMNIHOOK ®
• DOUBLE GRIP CORD CLAMP & CLIPPER ®
• PLASTIBELL ®

If you would like any further information about this range please do not hesitate to contact us by clicking on the contact button which is located on the website tool bar.

Etienne Colgate
Sales Director
+44 (0)1884 266 666
etienne@sterifeed.com

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HMBANA ( USA & Canada ) 07

Royal College of Pediatric & Child Health

Australian guidelines

German guidelines

Italian guidelines

Austrian guidelines

National Dairy Council

University of Bristol

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Water level Importance

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The pasteuriser is being used for treating mother’s milk  fed from mother to baby.

The Sterifeed safe pasteurisation system eliminates HIV, CMV, MRSA, Group  B  streptococcal   and other bacteria which are harmful to newborns. For these reasons Hospital Sibu decided to purchase a safe pasteurisation system to treat the mothers’ milk as a method of quality control before feeding it to her baby.

We would like to thank our distributor in Malaysia, HNS Medical and in particular Faizul Rahman the project manager and Dr Chein from Hospital Sibu for all their hard work in getting the Sterifeed ‘Safe Pasteurisation System’ project up and running at Hospital Sibu.

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