CHOP opens on-site milk bank

WEST PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A new resource is now available to help newborn babies in the area get a better start on life.

The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia opened an on-site breast milk bank to make it easier to collect and process milk donations.

For newborns, breast milk provides vital nutrients and antibodies to help build their immune systems.

It's particularly important for preemies.

The milk collected at the new bank won't have to be sent out to be pasteurized, and mothers who can't nurse will have faster access to it.

The first mother to donate to this bank spoke on Wednesday at the hospital.

Several other hospitals in the area also have milk banks.