02-05-2025
Breast Milk Expression room launched for newborn care at GSVM medical college
Kanpur: Newborns who need to be separated from their mothers, can now receive breast milk through the breastmilk expression facilty at Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial Medical College (GSVM, Kanpur).
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This innovative facility marks a significant advancement in neonatal care at Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial Medical College's maternity and child hospital. The collaboration with Harvard University and the PATH organisation brings international expertise to the project.
Prof Sanjay Kala, medical college principal, confirmed that Harvard University provided two electric breast pumps and ten manual breast pumps for the unit.
These devices facilitate the collection and timely delivery of breast milk to infants in the
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
(NICU). "Obstetrics and paediatrics departments collaborated with Ilana from Harvard University and Raven from the PATH organisation to launch a
Breast Milk Expression Room
within the Lactation Management Unit on Thursday," Dr Kala informed.
The Breast Milk Expression Room features state-of-the-art equipment and is staffed by trained healthcare professionals who guide mothers through the process of expressing and storing breast milk safely.
The unit operates round-the-clock, ensuring that mothers can express milk at any time according to their convenience and their babies' feeding schedules. The expressed milk is properly labelled, stored in sterilised containers, and maintained at appropriate temperatures, before being transported to the NICU.
Dr Renu Gupta, who heads the Obstetrics and Gynaecology department, emphasised that this initiative will particularly benefit premature babies and those with medical conditions requiring special care.
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Dr Gupta said that this facility was developed with support from the Community Empowerment Lab. "The facility also includes counselling services to help mothers overcome breastfeeding challenges and maintain adequate milk supply during separation from their infants," she said further.
The electric breast pumps provided are hospital-grade equipment, ensuring efficient and hygienic milk expression. The manual pumps offer a reliable backup option and can be used by mothers who prefer them.
The Lactation Management Unit also maintains detailed records of milk expression and feeding schedules for each mother-baby pair. This systematic approach ensures that every infant receives their mother's milk safely and regularly. The staff provides comprehensive support, including proper hygiene protocols and storage guidelines to maintain milk quality.
