From Grief to Giving: The Hidden Power of Milk Donation after Perinatal Loss
From Grief to Giving: The Hidden Power of Milk Donation after Perinatal Loss The journey of motherhood doesn’t always unfold as expected. For mothers experiencing perinatal loss —whether through miscarriage, stillbirth, or the death of a newborn—the emotional toll is profound. Yet, in the midst of sorrow, some women find healing in an unexpected place: donating breast milk . A groundbreaking study conducted across 34 Italian Human Milk Banks (HMBs) sheds light on how milk donation after loss is being offered, perceived, and implemented. This pioneering work opens a conversation on grief, healing, and the role of compassionate care in neonatal settings. 🍼 Why Milk Donation after Loss Matters Breast milk is known as the "liquid gold" of infant nutrition—critical for babies, especially those born prematurely or with medical needs. But for bereaved mothers, lactation doesn't stop when life does. Their bodies continue to produce milk, often without guidance on...