Israel’s milk bank stepped in for babies separated from mothers on October 7

Israel's National Human Milk Bank significantly expanded its operations following the October 7 Hamas attacks, providing a vital lifeline for infants separated from their mothers. The bank supplied breast milk from over 400 donors to 46 babies whose mothers were victims of the massacre, abducted to Gaza, wounded, or serving in the Israel Defense Forces.

Pediatricians recognized the unique crisis created by the attacks, which left many infants without their breastfeeding mothers due to death, injury, or emergency military deployment. The nonprofit Magen David Adom's milk bank in Ramle responded by tripling its activity. "Because of the war, we have tripled its activity," said Dr. Sharron Bransburg-Zabary, director of the milk bank. "In addition to providing the routine milk, there was an emergent need for safe mother’s milk to nourish babies who have been orphaned, whose mothers have been abducted or injured, or for babies whose mothers were recruited to the IDF."

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Because of the war, we have tripled its activity. In addition to providing the routine milk, there was an emergent need for safe mother’s milk to nourish babies who have been orphaned, whose mothers have been abducted or injured, or for babies whose mothers were recruited to the IDF.

Around 200 new donors joined the effort, supplementing the veteran donors. Bransburg-Zabary explained the critical importance of supervised donor milk, especially for infants who rely exclusively on breast milk for their immune system development. "If the biological mother is unable to nourish her infant with her own milk, supervised portions of breast milk from the Human Milk Bank are the recommended feeding option endorsed by health authorities worldwide," she stated.

The bank ensures the highest supervision levels, with all milk undergoing rigorous testing and procedures to guarantee its safety and health benefits for vulnerable infants. This initiative highlights a compassionate response to the devastating impact of the attacks on families and newborns.

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If the biological mother is unable to nourish her infant with her own milk, supervised portions of breast milk from the Human Milk Bank are the recommended feeding option endorsed by health authorities worldwide.