A milk bank provides screened pasteurised human milk to babies who have no or limited access to their own mothers milk. These babies are often born prematurely.
Premature babies are born with immature intestines and immature immune systems. They are often at greater risk of infection and Necrotising Enterocolitis, a potentially fatal gut condition.
Breast milk from a baby's own mother is always the best nutrition but this may not always be available especially in the first few days of life. Donated human milk is the next best alternative.
Donors are screened and the milk heat treated you can find out more at How it all works.