Lactation after Loss
The Memory Milk Gift Initiative was created in summer 2021 by the Milk Bank at Chester to raise awareness of milk donation after loss as a choice for families. A Memory Milk Tree is located in the Milk Bank at Chester who run the initiative, and families who join are offered the opportunity to have their baby’s name added to the tree. They also offer a wooden Memory Milk Pebble with baby’s name on to remember their precious gift to others.
I first heard of the project after it was started, in early 2022, and have worked with Laura Atherton and the team at MBAC since then, aiming to conduct research, raise awareness amongst the public, and educate health professionals. I was inspired to get involved after listening to a short video from Holly, mother to Bohdi, who sadly died before delivery. Her bravery and determination led the way for me, although we know there were many other women around the world who had previously done this.
We are very clear that we are not aiming to encourage bereaved women that this is the right option for them. For many women and families, this may not feel right. Our mission is to teach and raise awareness amongst health professionals so they can help women make an informed choice about their lactation following baby loss. We have developed (2024) a 2-hour online training course aimed at health professionals, currently available on the NHS learning hub. We want to work with partners to make this available internationally. Please DM me.
I first heard of the project after it was started, in early 2022, and have worked with Laura Atherton and the team at MBAC since then, aiming to conduct research, raise awareness amongst the public, and educate health professionals. I was inspired to get involved after listening to a short video from Holly, mother to Bohdi, who sadly died before delivery. Her bravery and determination led the way for me, although we know there were many other women around the world who had previously done this.
We are very clear that we are not aiming to encourage bereaved women that this is the right option for them. For many women and families, this may not feel right. Our mission is to teach and raise awareness amongst health professionals so they can help women make an informed choice about their lactation following baby loss. We have developed (2024) a 2-hour online training course aimed at health professionals, currently available on the NHS learning hub. We want to work with partners to make this available internationally. Please DM me.
The short video below is a 15 minute YouTube recorded at the Delphi conference in Florida in 2026, in which you can also listen to Holly's story. If you want more information or you are a bereaved parent or family member, please email contact the Milk Bank at Chester. If you are a health professional and have questions about research, eLearning courses and teaching contact me on the home page or via NHS email.
If you would like a copy of the powerpoint slides below, or are interested in a webinar please contact Laura Atherton, c/o the Milk Bank at Chester, or complete the contact form on the home page.
Below is a YouTube video with Valentina, mother to Amara, a Colombian baby who sadly died at a few weeks of age. Valentina has been working with government and professional organisations across Colombia and Latin America to raise awareness and embed this into routine clinical practice. If you don't speak Spanish, you can use the CC function on YouTube to add English (or other language) subtitles.
Poster presentation at BAPM 2026 by Laura Atherton of some of our recent research - a collaboration between Milk Bank at Chester, Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust, Newcastle University and The Salve Health Ltd.