In 2023, 154 premature babies requiring medical attention were helped, thanks to the altruism of 82 mothers.

385.5 litres of milk have been distributed, the largest quantity recorded since the Banc began in 2001.

The Banc de Sang i Teixits de les Illes Balears (BSTIB) today held an emotional ceremony to recognise the mothers who donated breast milk during the year 2023. The event was attended by the Director General of Public Health, Elena Esteban, the manager of the BSTIB, Rosa Maria Tarragó, and the technical director of the BSTIB’s Tissue Bank, Javier Calvo.

Banc de Sang i Teixits de les Illes Balears

The director general acknowledged the work of both donors and professionals, highlighting the achievements of 2023 and the importance of the work of women in breast milk donation.

During the event, diplomas were presented to donor mothers and the work of the neonatal unit of Son Espases Hospital to promote the donation of breast milk was acknowledged.

Data Mother’s Milk Bank

In 2023, the Mother’s Milk Bank (BLM) of the Balearic Islands registered 82 donors, of which 67 were new. Thanks to them, 458.52 litres of breast milk were collected. In addition, 385.5 litres of milk were distributed, the largest quantity recorded since the Bank’s inception in 2001, benefiting 154 newborns. The Hospital Universitario Son Espases cared for 118 of these babies.

The Mother’s Milk Bank of the Balearic Islands, the first to be created in Spain in 2001, conserves and distributes donated milk. This bank covers the needs of newborns who, due to their fragility, require special measures to overcome any difficulties, especially very low-weight premature babies.

The donated milk is kept deep-frozen until it is processed, where it undergoes a nutritional assessment and rigorous microbiological controls.

Mothers interested in becoming donors must be in good health. It is essential that no more than one year has passed since giving birth. After a medical interview, donors receive a breast pump and containers to collect their donations. The Mother’s Milk Bank collects donations from the donor mothers’ homes. The milk is analysed, pasteurised and frozen until it is used, and distributed to the neonatal units of the hospitals.