Precious milk for precious babies

17 May 2010

Best Beginnings helped celebrate a milestone anniversary of the start of milk banking at Queen Charlotte’s Hospital in May. The event marked 75 years since the London hospital first started the process and 70 years since the opening of the milk bank there.

The Best Beginning’s team took their innovative Get Britain Breastfeeding art exhibition to the event and helped rejoice the work of the milk bank which has helped thousands of precious babies benefit from specially collected, tested and heat-treated milk over the years.

The cause is particularly close to the heart of Best Beginnings founder Alison Baum whose uncle, Professor David Baum, first developed the method of milk banking in the UK. He sadly died 11 years ago whilst on a charity bike ride to raise money for needy children. Alison, in part, set up Best Beginnings to honour him and his work.

The anniversary celebration saw almost 200 donors and recipient families join in the afternoon of family fun. This included a trail mapping the history of milk banking including a tribute to Professor David Baum, plus live music, face painting, craft stalls and more.

Pictures from an interactive drama experience in which children went in search of a naughty shark who had stolen breast milk, are below. The experience was hosted by Jessica Kingsley, who is pictured with baby Otto Roberts, the great nephew of Professor David Baum.

For further information about milk banking, go to www.ukamb.org.