Emerging researcher Dr Ying Jin from the School of Health Sciences has been awarded a Health Research Council (HRC) Explorer Grant for her research into feeding vulnerable infants with donor human milk.
Zachariah Williams s mother struggled to produce milk after he was born 15 weeks early. Turning to a work friend who recently had twins, Stearle was able to use her breast milk to build up supply over five days before she could feed Oliver herself. But not everyone had the luxury of knowing someone who could share. Elisha Williams’ 9-month-old Zachariah was now a strong boy, but born at 24 weeks by caesarean, her body wasn’t ready to begin feeding. Within a week, her milk supply had run dry. The 29-year-old was afraid to reach out, but she heard the Whāngai Ora Milk Bank at Te Papaiōeia Birthing Centre could help.