By: Gabriella Phelan
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV)- The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences made history last week.
UAMS opened the state’s first milk bank in Little Rock on Sept. 6th celebrating with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
With the opening of the new milk bank, hospitals around the state will now have access to a ready-to-use supply of milk for nursing mothers and infants in the NICU.
In previous years, Arkansas hospitals were forced to source donor milk from states such as Texas, Michigan, Illinois, and Oklahoma.
Misty Virmani, Executive Medical Director of the UAMS Milk Bank said that the bank will not only provide milk to infants and mothers in need, but it will also help to educate the community on the importance of breastfeeding.
“The foundation of building a milk bank is that we’re going to support breastfeeding better. To do that, I think we need to be able to reach into communities a little bit more effectively and not hand them support, but build the support from within itself,” Virmani said
Breastfeeding classes, counseling, and safety courses will also be offered at the bank for new mothers.
Anyone who has breast milk to donate can visit the bank. Additionally, mothers who are dealing with the loss of their infant will also have the option to donate their milk and receive support.
More information about the UAMS Milk Bank and how to donate is available on the Milk Bank website.