Extending the Reach of Human Milk Banking

Abstract

The banking of human milk is expanding rapidly in both high- and low-income countries. Most milk banks serve critically ill infants, including those who are born prematurely or have low birthweight. This commentary explores the potential for extending the reach of milk banking so that it also serves many infants who are not critically ill, but would benefit from human milk from women other than their own mothers.

Keywords

• human milk banks
• infant nutrition
• critically ill infants
• breast milk
• breastfeeding