BREASTMILK BANK

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (15:32): I wish to provide some information about milk banks for breastfeeding mothers to the chamber and readers of Hansard. Members may not be aware that South Australia is the only mainland state in Australia that does not currently have a breastmilk bank. These are presently located in Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, northern New South Wales, Brisbane and the Northern Territory. I suggest it is time that serious investigations were undertaken with a view to establishing a service here as soon as possible.

Some breastfeeding mothers produce an excess of milk whilst others are unable to produce milk in the quantity required for their newborn baby. Breastmilk is particularly important for the health of premature babies, although all babies benefit from being fed breastmilk, I am informed.

A milk bank is normally run through a hospital. It receives milk from breastfeeding mothers willing to donate excess milk and provides this milk to mothers in need. There is a screening process, of course, and the milk is pasteurised to eliminate bacteria. The alternatives are using formula milk from powder or making an informal arrangement for the provision of milk through friends or via the internet, and this does happen. There are disadvantages to both of these.

Formula milk does not contain the natural antibodies that are in breastmilk, and this is no slight on anyone who may be forced to use formula milk, but if we had a milk bank available then all would be able to use breastmilk. These protect newborns from a variety of infections and diseases. Some research has also indicated that in resource rich countries children who are fed infant formula are up to five times more likely to be hospitalised in infancy than children who are breastfed. The use of formula is also associated with an increased risk of allergic diseases and type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It seems that the risk of sudden infant death syndrome is also increased by formula milk, according to some research. The risk of one particularly serious disease, necrotising enterocolitis (NEC), is increased by feeding formula milk to preterm babies. This is a devastating disorder of the gut with very serious consequences.

As to the option of informal sharing of milk, there may be no screening of donors under this arrangement and no pasteurisation. This gives rise to the risk of disease. Also, if a breastfeeding mother is taking any prescription or non-prescription drugs, these can be passed on through the milk supplied. Hygiene in the collection and storage of this milk cannot be guaranteed without a milk bank. Another problem is unscrupulous people operating a black market in breastmilk. Again, this does actually happen; there have been reports from interstate in recent times of people on the internet offering breast milk for up to $1,000 a litre.

In the 1990s a group attempted to organise a breast milk bank here in South Australia, but for a number of reasons—mainly funding reasons, as I understand it—this did not eventuate. To his credit, the federal Labor member for Hindmarsh, Steve Georganas, was deputy chairman of the parliamentary committee that authorised the Best Start report in 2007. This report recommended investigating the establishment of a network of breastmilk banks across Australia. Mr Georganas has been reported as saying he was disappointed that the issue had stalled.

In September 2012, as I mentioned in my question earlier today, John Hill, the then minister for health and ageing, said that he was 'happy to explore the issue' of a breastmilk bank if there was a demand. I believe there is certainly a need for this service, and there are many people who hold that view. The cost of establishment of such a bank would be in the order of $200,000 and the annual operating costs would be similar, although probably less—something in the order of $150,000.

Of course, the health of babies is a crucial issue and something that affects every new child in South Australia. Good infant health can itself actually result in cost savings to the health system. I believe that by implementing such a breastmilk bank here in South Australia it would actually pay for itself—and, indeed, there may be savings to the health system overall.

The benefits of breastfeeding are being constantly confirmed by research. Mothers, particularly those with preterm babies, who may have difficulties in producing milk either at all or in the required quantities, would greatly benefit from such a breastmilk bank. As I said, we have one in every other mainland state of Australia—I understand that Tasmania does not; I am not sure why that is—and we certainly should have one here.