Breast milk is the ideal food for all babies but is especially important for very premature and sick babies. Breast milk contains a complete spectrum of nutrients and immune-system compounds which are not present in formula milk. Giving premature babies breast milk helps development and protects them against infections including the common, but life-threatening, gut infection called necrotising enterocolitis.

First Touch supports the Infant Feeding Team and breastfeeding mums by providing everything they need from breast pumps to snacks, a £25,000 pasteuriser to ensure that those babies who need it can have safe donor milk, milk warmers and cool bags to transport expressed milk from home.

A £5 donation will fund 2 colostrum packs, or a mini cool bag, or drinks and snacks for all pumping mums for a day on the unit.

Every donation, however big or small makes a huge difference to the mums and babies on the nnu at St George's.