The milk bank at the South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen has put out an urgent call for donors as its supplies run low.
The Western Health and Social Care Trust human milk bank located at the Co Fermanagh hospital is making an urgent appeal for new mums to donate breast milk after the busy Christmas and New Year period.
One of the bank's coordinators is encouraging new mums to come forward to ensure supply can meet demand.
“We are encouraging new mothers to help with the increase in demand for breast milk and to ensure we have an adequate supply for neonatal units across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland," Elizabeth Bailie said.
"With our dedicated donors’, our peer support mothers and the help of new donors we will be able to meet the increase demand for breast milk.
The Milk Bank Team expressed their gratitude to the Blood Bikers charity, which helps with transportation of milk.
“The distribution of the milk would not be possible without transport help from Blood Bikers charities who assist with the transportation of milk to neonatal units throughout Ireland and we are incredibly grateful for their ongoing support to the Human Milk Bank.”
Elizabeth added: “We are very grateful to all the mums who donate milk to the unit and there is always the need to recruit new donors.
"Donors are required to be registered by the time baby reaches three months old and once registered the Milk Bank will accept milk donations up until the sixth month."
