Field note

Express delivery: Kids get breast milk even when mum's miles away

Mothers in Thailand have been taking advantage of a programme that lets them send breast milk to their children living elsewhere

A programme in selected Thai provinces offers free shipping of frozen breast milk, helping mothers who are not able to be with their babies because of work requirements.
Ms Parawee Kromnoy showing photos of her two children. The 27-year-old mother is among 18 Thai women taking part in a programme offering free shipping of breast milk on participating local buses and AirAsia flights to and from four north-eastern provinces
Ms Parawee Kromnoy showing photos of her two children. The 27-year-old mother is among 18 Thai women taking part in a programme offering free shipping of breast milk on participating local buses and AirAsia flights to and from four north-eastern provinces. ST PHOTO: HATHAI TECHAKITTERANUN
Ms Preeyaporn Eklee, the first participant in the breast milk delivery programme, reuniting with her son, who is 10 months old. Her husband relocated the family to be with her in Khon Kaen in June.
Ms Preeyaporn Eklee, the first participant in the breast milk delivery programme, reuniting with her son, who is 10 months old. Her husband relocated the family to be with her in Khon Kaen in June. ST PHOTO: HATHAI TECHAKITTERANUN
Pump, freeze and send: Ms Parawee Kromnoy sends her breast milk to her five-month-old daughter (right) in Isan, which is 1,200km away from where she lives and works in Phuket, thanks to free air shipping under a new programme.
Pump, freeze and send: Ms Parawee Kromnoy sends her breast milk to her five-month-old daughter in Isan, which is 1,200km away from where she lives and works in Phuket, thanks to free air shipping under a new programme. ST PHOTO: HATHAI TECHAKITTERANUN
Pump, freeze and send: Ms Parawee Kromnoy sends her breast milk to her five-month-old daughter in Isan, which is 1,200km away from where she lives and works in Phuket, thanks to free air shipping under a new programme.
Pump, freeze and send: Ms Parawee Kromnoy sends her breast milk to her five-month-old daughter in Isan, which is 1,200km away from where she lives and works in Phuket, thanks to free air shipping under a new programme. ST PHOTO: HATHAI TECHAKITTERANUN
Pump, freeze and send: Ms Parawee Kromnoy sends her breast milk to her five-month-old daughter (above) in Isan, which is 1,200km away from where she lives and works in Phuket, thanks to free air shipping under a new programme.
Pump, freeze and send: Ms Parawee Kromnoy sends her breast milk to her five-month-old daughter (above) in Isan, which is 1,200km away from where she lives and works in Phuket, thanks to free air shipping under a new programme. ST PHOTO: HATHAI TECHAKITTERANUN
Hathai Techakitteranun  Thailand Correspondent In Phuket and Khon Kaen
Updated
Aug 31, 2019, 06:03 AM
Published
Aug 31, 2019, 05:00 AM
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Ms Parawee Kromnoy is determined to breastfeed her five-month-old daughter, who is being looked after by her parents, despite living and working more than 1,200km away from her baby.

Even if she freezes her milk and sends it to her home in Isan, the north-eastern region of Thailand, via a delivery service - which can be expensive - the milk may thaw along the way.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on August 31, 2019, with the headline Express delivery: Kids get breast milk even when mum's miles away. Subscribe

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