Use of Donor Milk on the Neonatal Unit

Please note, this page is printable by selecting the normal print options on your computer.

Which is the best milk for my baby?

The best milk for your baby is your breast milk, however, sometimes establishing breastfeeding may be challenging.

What is donor breast milk?

Donor milk is breast milk expressed and donated by a mother that is then processed by a donor milk bank to be given to your baby. It is the next best milk to your own. Human milk is especially critical for premature babies, those with low birth weight, sick infants or where mothers are establishing their own milk supply.

Why donor milk?

For babies who can receive donor milk, it is a precious resource so its use is concentrated on babies who will benefit most. These include:

  • Very premature babies (born before 30 weeks or weighing less than 1500grams)
  • Those who have had surgery on their intestines
  • Babies with major heart abnormalities
  • Babies who have a sibling who is receiving donor milk.

Breast milk is more easily digested than formula milk and it helps protect your baby from infection.

There is evidence that breast milk reduces the risk of Necrotising Enterocolitis (NEC) which is a condition that can affect the bowel of preterm infants and which can make babies very unwell.

When a mother is unable to provide any or enough of her own breast milk, donor breast milk is often the preferred alternative to formula milk. This is because donor breast milk still contains many of the protective factors (such as immunoglobulins) which help protect premature babies from infection. The protective factors in breast milk are not present in formula milk which is prepared from cow’s milk.

Is donor milk safe?

Donor mothers must meet strict health and lifestyle criteria and are required to have blood screening tests. Donor mothers have been shown to express, collect and store their milk cleanly and safely. In addition, donated milk is tested for bacteria and pasteurized (heat treated) for added protection.

What screening takes place?

Donor mothers are screened for:

  • Lifestyle
  • Previous medical history
  • Previous blood transfusion
  • Chronic or acute medical conditions requiring medication
  • Family history of TB
  • Family history of CJD (however there is no evidence that CJD is transmitted through breast milk)
  • Infections / blood-born infections (HIV 1 and 2, hepatitis B and C, HTLV 1 and 2, syphilis).

Mothers are excluded from donating milk if they do not meet the criteria set by NICE guidelines.

What is lifestyle screening?

A donor mother does not:

  • Smoke
  • Drink more than small amounts of alcohol
  • Drink excessive number of drinks containing caffeine per day (coffee, tea or cola)
  • Receive certain medications (traditional or herbal)
  • Take drugs

Who regulates donor milk in the UK?

United Kingdom Association for Milk Banking (UKAMB) works closely with the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) to produce guidelines for the safe operation of milk banks.

Where does donor milk used at Milton Keynes University Hospital (MKUH) come from?

Donor milk used at MKUH is usually obtained from the Oxford Human Milk Bank.