Why Donate?

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Breast milk has been shown in clinical research studies to help babies resist infections and decrease the incidence of serious diseases, such as necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), sepsis, bacterial meningitis, and ear infections. The antibodies found in breast milk, as well as other human protective molecules are not present in other forms of milk, such as bovine (cow) milk - based fortifier or infant formula. When mother’s milk is not available, donor breast milk is the preferred alternative for VLBW infants (those weighing less than 1500g at birth). Donor milk offers the same rich nutrients, and much of the same protection against infection, feeding intolerance and neonatal illness that mother’s milk has been shown to provide.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has recognized that breast milk alone is not sufficient to meet the higher nutritional needs of VLBW babies. Until now, human milk fortifiers have been bovine milk - based powders. Concern has been raised about the exposure of these infants to a foreign protein source and the infectious risks of these powders. Prolacta’s entire line of products is made from breast milk. For premature and critically ill babies in need, a purely human milk fortified diet can only be made possible through donations.