Kristina Lau Yin-fuk, a mother in Hong Kong, remembers the difficult days when her premature daughter was hospitalized for being underweight and having jaundice. As Lau desperately tried to pump breast milk for her baby, she found herself exhausted, both physically and emotionally.
“I would have been happy if I could express just 5 millilitres more,” Lau recalled. “I was crying non-stop, not eating, and it would take an hour to express each time.” Her daughter, Li Yi-ching, is now a healthy three-month-old, and Lau’s determination has ensured a steady supply of breast milk stored at home.
Having experienced the struggles of breastfeeding a premature baby, Lau decided to donate her extra milk to Hong Kong’s first breast milk bank, which opened on Monday.
“By donating extra milk, we can help provide nutrients to premature babies, so their mothers don’t have to worry,” Lau said. “We’ve got their back, allowing them to rest and care for their babies when they return home.”
The new bank, located at the Hong Kong Children’s Hospital in Kowloon Bay, aims to collect 1,000 litres (2,113 pints) of breast milk annually, providing for 450 to 600 premature or critically ill infants.
Dr. Rosanna Wong Ming-sum, the director of the Hong Kong Breast Milk Bank, explained that expressing breast milk is particularly challenging for mothers of premature infants.
“Breast milk is easy for premature babies to digest and absorb,” she said. “These babies are more vulnerable to infections, and breast milk contains antibodies to help combat them.”
Wong also highlighted the health benefits, noting that research shows breast milk can reduce the risk of severe complications like necrotising enterocolitis, a dangerous intestinal condition in premature infants.
The bank hopes to collect 50 to 100 litres of breast milk by March and begin distributing it to newborns in need. Wong noted that in countries with established milk banks, breastfeeding rates increased, and she expects similar outcomes in Hong Kong.
To become a donor, mothers must meet specific criteria: they must be healthy, lactating, and have babies under one year old. Donors will be interviewed, required to fill out a questionnaire, and undergo blood tests. Ideal donors are non-smokers, limit alcohol intake, and avoid drug use, with a daily caffeine limit of 200ml.
Mothers interested in donating can arrange for a courier to pick up their frozen milk at home. The bank follows international standards, including pasteurisation, microbiological testing, and nutritional analysis.
Christine Lam Chi-oi, the bank’s advanced practice nurse, explained that staff would support donors with advice on diet, pump cleaning, and proper milk storage. If milk fails microbiological testing, a breastfeeding consultant will help address the issue.
“Donors will receive regular follow-ups to ensure their health and well-being,” Lam said, adding that mothers should inform the bank about any illness, medications, or blood transfusions.
Yoyo Chan Ho-yiu, a mother of an eight-month-old daughter and a donor, shared her motivation. After experiencing two miscarriages before her baby’s birth, Chan understands the value of a healthy newborn.
“I want to help other babies grow strong and healthy,” she said. “And I want my daughter to learn the importance of sharing love. If possible, I hope other mothers will donate too—it’s a blessing we can only give as mothers.”
The new breast milk bank in Hong Kong provides a vital resource for families with premature babies, offering support and care through the generosity of mothers like Lau, Chan, and others who share their milk to help babies in need.
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