A breakthrough: Mexican researchers manage to preserve breast milk powder

We all know that the best feeding for a baby is breast milk and that, when there is no possibility, or do not want to breastfeed, the alternative is to give an infant formula adapted for babies.

The WHO actually says that, in the absence of mother's milk, the ideal is donor milk, because it remains human milk. However, it is an option that is not usually carried out if it is not in a hospital, when breast milk can be the difference between going ahead or not for many premature or sick babies.

That milk is donated by women, in an altruistic way, and after being collected it is pasteurized, frozen and stored in a useful and practical process for a hospital, but not so much if that milk should be transported to other centers. Now this problem may not be thanks to a breakthrough, that of Mexican researchers who have managed to preserve breast milk powder.

Up to six months in good condition

As we read in La Unión, those responsible for the finding are from the University of Guadalajara, in Mexico. With the support of the Civil Hospital of the city they have managed to eliminate the water from the milk of the donor mothers and turn it into powder, so that it can be stored taking up less space, with a nutritional loss of just 10%.

Pasteurized milk also undergoes changes and some losses, so you should see which method is better. The researchers say that in this way the loss of nutrients is lower than with pasteurization, so if so, we have double good news.

A Powdered Breast Milk Bank

Those responsible for the finding are already studying the possibility of creating a powdered breast milk bank, where it can be stored safely for six months. Not needing refrigeration, the facilities would not be particularly expensive and the transport of milk between hospitals would be a feasible possibility.

Other uses for breast milk powder

The process of dehydration of breast milk is now under patent process, but specialists believe it will be very useful at the social level. It may not be easy to carry out that process at home, at least for now, but I imagine it could be done and the truth, compared to the process of extracting the milk, putting it in the freezer, defrosting, etc., seems much more comfortable both to save it as to transport it if necessary and even to prepare it.

What do you think?

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