Where Does Donor Milk Banking Fit in Public Health Policy?
In 1980 the World Health Organization and UNICEF issued the following joint statement: Where it is not possible for the biological mother to breastfeed, the first alternative, if available, should be the use of human breast milk from other sources. Human milk banks should be made available in appropriate situations1 [Italics added by author]. Even after the publication of reports that HIV could be transmitted through human milk, WHO and UNICEF continued to make positive statements about donor milk banking: When a baby is to be artificially fed, the choice of feeding method and product should not be influenced by commercial pressures. If donor milk is to be used, it must first be pasteurized, and where possible, donors should be screened for HIV.2 Donor milk banking also plays a role in another WHO/UNICEF initiative, The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative. Donor milk banking can be applied to six of the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding. Written breastfeeding policies in the hospital
