Pregnancy & Parenting
On pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and caring for a newborn during wartime.
On pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and caring for a newborn during wartime.
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Family Care Centers, Mother and Newborn Health Care
The Ministry of Health is updating the website with information about open family care centers (Tipat Halav). -
Pregnancy and Labor During Wartime
At times of emergency, such as war, we are exposed to stressful situations that affect the health of the mother and the fetus. It is crucial to follow the pregnancy… -
To Breastfeed is to Provide Resilience
Especially during emergency and crisis situations, breastfeeding was found to be especially healthy both for the breastfeeding mother and the nursing baby. All information about breastfeeding during stressful and emergency… -
Traumatic Stress While Pregnant or Breastfeeding
All the information for women who are coping with stress and trauma while they are pregnant or breastfeeding. Tips for coping with stress, emotional support hotlines and more. -
Milk Bank: Donating and Receiving Breast Milk Donations
Which babies are eligible to receive donated breast milk? What are the criteria for donation, and how can someone request a donation? Due to the current security situation, there are… -
Self-Care to Be Able to Help Children
During emergencues, parents have a twofold challenge: function and cope with the situation themselves, so they can support and communicate the situation to their children. This way you can take… -
Staying Home with the Children
Prolonged stay at home with the children may increase both our stress and our children's. Important guidelines for prolonged stay at home and for relieving children's stress and trauma. -
Child and Teenager Online Safety
Especially during war and emergency situations, like the one that we are currently experiencing, the internet provides us with escapism and pleasure, but it may also present us with challenges… -
Screens in Wartime
Everything you need to know about screen time, both during emergency situations and in general. Pros, cons and what is the recommended screen time for every age group. -
Leaving Children Home Alone
According to law, you can leave children alone at home from the age of 6, but it is recommended not to leave them alone before the age of 9, as… -
Parental Guidance on Managing Child Traumatic Stress
Anxiety has different manifestations among children of different age groups and between children of the same age group. All the information and recommendations that parents need for coping with anxiety… -
Helping Children Understand Tragic Events
A couple of tips that will help you if you need to talk to your children about difficult subjects. -
Parents in Active Military Service
How you can help your children cope with the recruitment of a parent to military service. It is important to remember that recruitment causes pressure but it also provides an…
Milk Bank: Donating and Receiving Breast Milk Donations
The Importance of Breast Milk for Babies
During emergencies, breastfeeding is the safest and most hygienic way to feed infants. Breast milk provides optimal nutrition, is always available, does not rely on external supplies, and is always at the right temperature.
Breastfeeding can be lifesaving in emergencies. It helps protect babies from infections, especially diarrhea and respiratory illnesses, which are more common during crises. It also strengthens the baby’s immune response.
That’s why it is especially important to continue breastfeeding during this time to provide maximum protection for your baby—even in less hygienic conditions such as shelters or crowded spaces.
Israel’s National Human Milk Bank
While breast milk has many benefits for full-term infants, for premature or medically vulnerable babies, it can be lifesaving and essential for development.
In many of these cases, breastfeeding may not be possible, and donor milk is needed. The National Human Milk Bank operated by Magen David Adom (MDA) provides safe, high-quality donor milk to babies in need. The milk is donated by screened mothers who follow strict hygiene practices, and it is prioritized for babies based on medical need.
Receiving Donor Breast Milk
Due to the current emergency, the National Human Milk Bank is making donor milk available to babies who meet the following criteria:
- Infants under 6 months old whose mothers are unavailable due to the situation (e.g., deployed, injured, or deceased).
- Infants aged 6–12 months whose mothers are unavailable and who cannot tolerate infant formula due to allergy or intolerance (medical documentation is required).
- Infants under 12 months who have been injured during the war and need breast milk to support recovery (subject to medical assessment).
To request donor milk, contact the National Mothers' Milk Bank:
- Email: milkbank@mda.org.il
- WhatsApp: 052-634-4101
- Phone: 073-263-0200
More about the National Mothers' Milk Bank
Donating Breast Milk
Due to the ongoing emergency, some babies cannot be breastfed because their mothers are unavailable. Donor milk from the National Human Milk Bank offers these infants the best nutritional option available.
The National Human Milk Bank, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, is working to provide milk to babies whose mothers are absent because of the war (e.g., deployed, injured, kidnapped, or killed).
Important: There are many social media posts encouraging community-based breast milk donation, sometimes coordinated by lactation consultants. However, to ensure the most vulnerable babies are prioritized, we strongly urge anyone wishing to donate milk to do so through the National Mothers' Milk Bank. This ensures donated milk reaches babies with urgent medical needs.
Who Can Donate Breast Milk?
- You are generally healthy and follow a balanced diet.
- You drink no more than two servings of alcohol per day.
- You do not smoke (including cigarettes, hookah, or e-cigarettes) and are not exposed to significant secondhand smoke or marijuana.
- You do not use drugs, including marijuana (even for medical use).
- You have not experienced a significant human bite in the last 6 months.
- You have not had unprotected casual sex in the past 6 months.
- You have not used non-sterile needles or had a tattoo within the past 4 months.
- You have not received human-derived growth hormone or bovine insulin, and there is no family history of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD).
- You and your partner have not tested positive for:
- HTLV
- HIV
- Hepatitis B or C
- Tuberculosis
- Syphilis
- You are willing to follow hygiene guidelines and sterilize all pumping equipment before every donation.
- If your baby is under 6 months and has not started solid foods, you breastfeed or pump exclusively.
- If your baby is over 6 months, you can donate at least 100 ml per day or 2 liters per month.
If you are interested in donating breast milk or have questions, contact the National Mothers' Milk Bank:
- WhatsApp: 052-634-4101
- Email: milkbank@mda.org.il
- Phone: 073-263-0200
- Open Sunday to Thursday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM