Work

Does the Possibility of Using Donor Human Milk Limit the Pursuit to Feed Neonates Their Own Mother’s Milk? The Impact of a Newly Opened Human Milk Bank on Feeding Practices in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, North-East Poland

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Human milk is considered an ideal diet for neonates, and every effort should be made to promote breastfeeding. Donor human milk (DHM) remains the best alternative for neonates when their mother’s own milk (MOM) is not available. We tried to determine whether having easy access to DHM from a Human Milk Bank (HMB) would reduce the pursuit to feed neonates MOM. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on data from neonates consecutively admitted to the Neonatal Intensive and Intermediate Care Units of the Department of Neonatology of the Medical University of Bialystok between 1 January 2022 and 31 March 2025. The study period covered 2 years before the opening of the HMB and 1 year of its operation. No specific changes in feeding practices occurred simultaneously during the HMB’s first year of operation. Results: In the first year of operation of the HMB, we observed an increase in the percentage of neonates who (1) received mother’s own colostrum (71.88% vs. 52.28% (2023) and 52.05% (2022); p < 0.001), (2) were fed human milk during hospitalization (24.38% vs. 3.57% (2023) and 4.09% (2022); p < 0.001) and (3) were fed MOM at discharge (43.86% vs. 56.25%, p = 0.024). In total, 53.06% of neonates who received DHM were fed MOM at discharge. Conclusions: The possibility of using milk from the HMB did not limit the desire to feed neonates MOM but intensified it. Neonates were more likely to be fed MOM during the first feeding, throughout their hospitalization, and at discharge. It shows the strong potential of HMBs in improving feeding practices in Neonatal Intensive and Intermediate Care Units.

Source: Nutrients

DOI: 10.3390/nu18050830

Authors: Monika Kamianowska, Barbara Bebko, Agata Ostasz, Joanna Sieńko, Aleksander Kamianowski

Institution: Medical University of Białystok

Language: English

Topic: Breastfeeding Practices and Influences

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,499