Human milk banking: Every mother’s dream

Abstract

Human milk is recognized as the optimal feeding for new born infants. When mothers’ own milk (MOM) is not available, it is possible to provide human milk to premature or term new born infants that is donated by lactating mothers. Milk Banking is an important medical-social initiative as far as future of human race is concerned. Paediatricians began using donor human milk in the 19th in response to anecdotal observation that premature infants had better health outcomes when receiving their own mothers’ milk. The history of milk banking and the key steps involved in donation, processing and dispensing of human milk are outlined. Other issues concerning the practice of human milk banks need to be addressed as well as optimization of the feeding strategies for preterm infants. Hence Government, health experts and civil society must join hands to propagate concept of human milk banking for sake of thousands of LBW and preterm babies.