A Mother's Gift: Selva Brindha's Record-Breaking Breast Milk Donation

Selva Brindha, a 33-year-old homemaker from Kattur in Tiruchirappalli district, has accomplished a remarkable feat by donating more than 300 liters of breast milk over nearly two years. Her donations have provided life-saving nutrition to thousands of premature and sick newborns, earning her recognition in both the India Book of Records and the Asia Book of Records as the record holder for breast milk donation in India.

Sharing her motivations, Brindha recounted an experience when her second child required a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stay due to jaundice. While pumping breast milk for her own child, she found herself producing more than needed. With permission, the excess was given to other infants in the NICU. This pivotal moment inspired her to start a systematic donation process, intending to aid other vulnerable babies.

Brindha's endeavor was supported by the Amirtham Foundation, facilitating her contributions to reach NICUs across the state. She appeals to new mothers to consider donating surplus breast milk, emphasizing the critical role such donations play in the survival and recovery of preterm infants.

(With inputs from agencies.)