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Human Milk Bank Studies

Premature babies, sick babies or babies from mothers that do not produce milk still need the benefits that human milk provides. Human milk banks have been established around the world and accept human milk from donors to give to babies in need. Mothers and babies both find this a wonderful gift, and babies are given milk with antibodies, immunity boosters, vitamins and minerals.

  1. Why is Human Milk So Important?

    • Human milk is the preferred choice for infant nutrition. Human milk promotes growth, builds immunity and is optimal nutrition for infants. These benefits are caused by the components in human milk, which are enzymes, hormones, growth factors, immunity building properties and vitamins. Pediatricians around the world recommend that exclusive breastfeeding is advised for at least six months: Optimally, breast milk should be a part of the diet until the child is two years of age. There are circumstances in which providing infants with breast milk is not feasible.

    Federal Drug Administration Studies

    • Although there are Federal Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines set in place about human milk banking, there are no laws set in place by the federal government about milk banks. Two states, California and New York have milk banks that are regulated by their state's health departments, but no other states have such regulation in place. The FDA has conducted research studies on the safety of human milk, including disease transfer and contamination issues. The FDA concluded that scientists and doctors need to keep a close eye on how milk is procured, stored and handled. The FDA also has concerns about for-profit milk banks and personal milk sharing -- amongst groups or family and friends.

    The Human Milk Banking Association of North America

    • In 1943, the Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA) created guidelines about human milk banking in the United States and Canada. HMBANA develops guidelines, provides information and encourages research about the subject of human milk banking. Research has shown that donors should be selected based on stringent criteria, that donors have blood tested, commit to a certain amount of milk donation and that milk banks comply with state and federal guidelines regarding usage, storage and acquisition.

    Pasteurized Donor Milk

    • According to the Mother's Milk Bank, human milk may be pasteurized and retain all of it's nutritional properties. The agency has also found that pasteurized donor milk has shown to decrease hospital stays and decrease the incidences of enterocolitis, sepsis and infection. Hospitals and medical providers have successfully used pasteurized human milk in patients with failure to thrive, gastrointestinal issues, allergies, renal issues and HIV to boost immunity and nutritional status.

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