MHRA Urges Parents to Avoid Choking Risk by Not Using SteriFeed Colostrum Collector for Direct Feeding
Health officials have issued an urgent warning to parents, advising them not to use kits designed to collect breast milk for feeding babies due to a serious risk of choking. The SteriFeed Colostrum Collector, a syringe-style device used to collect colostrum, has been found to have its cap lodged in the throats of six newborns when used for feeding without removing the stopper. While no fatalities have occurred, one infant required emergency surgery. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has urged users to contact their healthcare provider for advice on safe collection and feeding methods. The manufacturer will be changing the device's design to minimize the choking risk, but this will take six months to implement.