Developing global guidance on human milk banking

Donor human milk is recommended by the World Health Organization both for its advantageous nutritional and biological properties when mother's own milk is not available and for its recognized support for lactation and breastfeeding when used appropriately. An increasing number of human milk ban...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Bulletin of the World Health Organization 2021-12, Vol.99 (12), p.892-900
Main Authors: Tyebally Fang, Mirriam, Chatzixiros, Efstratios, Grummer-Strawn, Laurence, Engmann, Cyril, Israel-Ballard, Kiersten, Mansen, Kimberly, O'Connor, Deborah L, Unger, Sharon, Herson, Marisa, Weaver, Gillian, Biller-Andorno, Nikola
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Banks
Biological properties
Breast Feeding
Breast milk
Breastfeeding & lactation
Codes of conduct
Commercialization
Coordination
Ethical standards
Ethics
Evidence based research
Exploitation
Female
Humans
Income distribution
Lactation
Medical equipment
Milk
Milk Banks
Milk, Human
Mothers
Policy & Practice
Product safety
Public health
Regulation
Safety regulations
Safety standards
Tissue Donors
Women
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Summary:Donor human milk is recommended by the World Health Organization both for its advantageous nutritional and biological properties when mother's own milk is not available and for its recognized support for lactation and breastfeeding when used appropriately. An increasing number of human milk banks are being established around the world, especially in low- and middle-income countries, to facilitate the collection, processing and distribution of donor human milk. In contrast to other medical products of human origin, however, there are no minimum quality, safety and ethical standards for donor human milk and no coordinating global body to inform national policies. We present the key issues impeding progress in human milk banking, including the lack of clear definitions or registries of products; issues around regulation, quality and safety; and ethical concerns about commercialization and potential exploitation of women. Recognizing that progress in human milk banking is limited by a lack of comparable evidence, we recommend further research in this field to fill the knowledge gaps and provide evidence-based guidance. We also highlight the need for optimal support for mothers to provide their own breastmilk and establish breastfeeding as soon as and wherever possible after birth.
ISSN:0042-9686
1564-0604
DOI:10.2471/BLT.21.286943