California Recognizes May as Human Milk Donation Month to Support Vulnerable Newborns

California has taken a pioneering step by declaring May as Human Milk Donation Month, a move aimed at bolstering support for premature and medically fragile infants across the state. This initiative, spearheaded by Senate Resolution 20 and championed by Senators Dave Cortese and Aisha Wahab, seeks to illuminate the life-saving benefits of donor human milk and tackle the pressing nutritional requirements of the most vulnerable newborns.

The resolution is complemented by the release of a detailed report, 'The State of Human Milk Banking in California,' which sheds light on the escalating demand for pasteurized donor human milk (PDHM). Mothers' Milk Bank California has reported a 30% surge in PDHM demand over the last year, with its services now reaching 60% of California's Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs). This growing need underscores the vital role of human milk donations in ensuring the health and survival of preterm infants.

Preterm infants, who are the primary beneficiaries of donor human milk, often face a myriad of challenges that make breastfeeding impossible. These include maternal absence, risks of disease transmission, medication incompatibility, hospitalization, and lactation difficulties. In California, nearly all very preterm or very low birthweight babies in NICUs rely on PDHM, yet the current donor contributions fulfill less than 75% of the heightened demand. This gap highlights the urgent need for increased donor participation.

The safety and efficacy of donor human milk are ensured through rigorous donor screening and pasteurization processes, which eliminate pathogens while retaining the milk's nutritional integrity. Jennifer Benito-Kowalski, CEO of Mothers' Milk Bank California, has pointed out the stark disparity between the need for donations and the current donor pool, with only 2% of eligible donors in California contributing, despite 1 in 11 babies being born preterm. Senator Dave Cortese has also emphasized the unique properties of breast milk in preventing severe infant diseases, such as Necrotizing Enterocolitis, which poses a fatal risk to premature babies.

This public awareness campaign has garnered support from various organizations, including the UC Health Milk Bank and the California Breastfeeding Coalition, among others, all united in their mission to promote the life-saving potential of human milk donation. The declaration of May as Human Milk Donation Month not only raises awareness but also calls to action the community to address the critical shortage of donor milk, ensuring that every vulnerable newborn has the chance to thrive.