Making human milk matter: the need for EU regulation

Abstract

One in ten infants is born preterm worldwide, with an average preterm birth incidence of 8·7% in Europe. 1 Chawanpaiboon S Vogel JP Moller A-B et al. Global, regional, and national estimates of levels of preterm birth in 2014: a systematic review and modelling analysis. Lancet Global Health. 2019; 7: e37-46 Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (611) Google Scholar Together with sick and low-birthweight infants, preterm babies belong to the most vulnerable group of patients and require special care, including nutrition. The mother's own milk is without doubt the preferred choice for infant feeding, 2 Arslanoglu S Corpeleijn W Moro G et al. Donor human milk for preterm infants: current evidence and research directions. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutrition. 2013; 57: 535-542 Crossref PubMed Scopus (241) Google Scholar and exclusive breastfeeding during the first 6 months of life is recommended. However, when the mother's own milk is not available, donor milk from a human milk bank is the next best option, because of the undisputed health benefits of human milk. 2 Arslanoglu S Corpeleijn W Moro G et al. Donor human milk for preterm infants: current evidence and research directions. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutrition. 2013; 57: 535-542 Crossref PubMed Scopus (241) Google Scholar , 3 WHODonor human milk for low-birth-weight infants. https://www.who.int/elena/titles/donormilk_infants/en/Date: July 22, 2019 Date accessed: January 14, 2021 Google Scholar Furthermore, donor milk acts as a bridge to breastfeeding, with positive psychological and emotional effects for both mother and child. 2 Arslanoglu S Corpeleijn W Moro G et al. Donor human milk for preterm infants: current evidence and research directions. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutrition. 2013; 57: 535-542 Crossref PubMed Scopus (241) Google Scholar , 4 Cassidy T Dykes F Mahon B Banking on milk: an ethnography of donor human milk relations. 1st edn. Routledge, New York2019 Crossref Scopus (6) Google Scholar