At the Fernández Figueira Institute in Rio de Janeiro, breast milk undergoes testing before being delivered to mothers.
Christine Bethge
For new mothers struggling to breastfeed, Brazil offers exceptional support through its milk banking system. Established in the early 20th century, these milk banks collect donated breast milk and distribute it to mothers and infants in need. Originally costly and limited in availability, a transformative redesign in the 1980s by chemist **João Apurigio Guerra de Almeida** revolutionized Brazilian milk banks. By employing cost-effective methods like repurposed food industry hot tubs—significantly cheaper than traditional pasteurizers—and sterilizing reused containers, this approach made breast milk more accessible.
The Brazilian term for innovative problem-solving is Jeitinho, as highlighted by photographer Christine Bethge. Together with journalist Niklas Franzen, she investigated various Brazilian milk banks, including the Fernández Figueira Institute based in Rio de Janeiro.
Today, Brazil’s milk banking network is acclaimed globally for providing the safest and most affordable human milk. With over 200 milk banks serving hundreds of thousands of babies, Brazil holds the record for the highest number of milk banks worldwide. This successful system has played a pivotal role in reducing the under-five mortality rate in Brazil by more than 70% from 1990 to 2015, a noteworthy achievement attributed to its milk bank initiative. Many sources reference this remarkable program.
A courier at the Instituto Fernández Figueira collects breast milk from donors.
Christine Bethge
The success of Brazil’s milk banking system can be attributed to its efficiency and accessibility, allowing women to easily donate and retrieve milk. A network of delivery drivers facilitates this process; one such driver, witnessed delivering on a bicycle in the Flamengo suburb of Rio de Janeiro, exemplifies this commitment. Christine Bethge noted that without the courier service, mothers might hesitate to contribute, emphasizing the importance of this logistical support.
A laboratory assistant checks breast milk for large contaminants like hair or dust particles, an essential step in quality control.
Christine Bethge
The milk bank serves multifaceted purposes, acting as a comprehensive support center for new mothers by collecting, sterilizing, and storing milk, and directly supplying it to premature infants in critical need. Each milk donation undergoes strict inspections for large contaminants before it is pasteurized at 62.5°C for 30 minutes to eliminate any bacteria and ensure safety.
Milk is pasteurized at 62.5°C for 30 minutes to eliminate bacteria.
Christine Bethge
New mothers can also receive valuable assistance from nurses in expressing milk, particularly in premature birth wards. “The couriers play a vital role in this communication, informing mothers about their milk’s journey,” Bethge remarks.
A nurse assists in expressing milk for a mother’s premature twins at the Fernández Figueira Institute.
Christine Bethge
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Source: www.newscientist.com
