Donor milk

Definition

Donor milk is human breast milk that is provided by lactating mothers who choose to share their milk, often through milk banks, for use by infants who are unable to receive their mother's milk. This practice helps to ensure that vulnerable babies, especially those born prematurely or with medical conditions, receive the nutritional and immunological benefits of human milk. Donor milk serves as a critical alternative when a mother’s own milk is not available or insufficient.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Donor milk is pasteurized to eliminate harmful pathogens while preserving most of the milk's beneficial properties.
2. Milk banks typically follow strict guidelines to screen donors for health and lifestyle factors to ensure the safety of the donated milk.
3. Donor milk is especially vital for preterm infants, as it can significantly reduce the risk of gastrointestinal diseases and other complications.
4. Many hospitals have established relationships with milk banks to provide donor milk for their neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).
5. While donor milk is beneficial, it should not completely replace a mother's own milk or be seen as a substitute for breastfeeding when possible.

Review Questions

• How does donor milk provide benefits to infants who cannot receive their mother's own milk?
  • Donor milk offers crucial nutritional and immunological support to infants who are unable to consume their mother's own milk due to various reasons, such as medical conditions or insufficient supply. This type of milk contains antibodies and essential nutrients that help protect these vulnerable babies from infections and support their growth. Accessing donor milk can be particularly important in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), where premature or ill infants may have increased nutritional needs.
• What safety measures are in place for the collection and distribution of donor milk?
  • To ensure the safety of donor milk, milk banks implement rigorous screening procedures for potential donors, including health questionnaires and blood tests. The collected milk is pasteurized to eliminate harmful pathogens while retaining most of its beneficial properties. Additionally, strict guidelines govern the storage and distribution processes to minimize contamination risks, ensuring that the recipient infants receive safe and high-quality human milk.
• Evaluate the ethical considerations surrounding the use of donor milk in infant feeding practices.
  • The use of donor milk raises several ethical considerations, such as ensuring equitable access for all infants who need it and addressing the potential commercialization of human breast milk. There is a strong emphasis on transparency and informed consent in donor programs, ensuring that mothers understand how their donated milk will be used. Additionally, discussions about balancing donor supply and demand are essential in maintaining a sustainable system that prioritizes infant health without exploiting donors. The ethical implications extend into public health policy, as communities work to promote safe breastfeeding practices alongside responsible donor milk use.

Related terms

Milk Bank: A facility that collects, screens, processes, and distributes donor human milk to infants in need.

Breastfeeding: The process of feeding an infant with breast milk directly from the mother's breast, which provides optimal nutrition and bonding.

Formula Feeding: The practice of feeding an infant with formula, a manufactured food designed to support the nutritional needs of infants when breast milk is not available.