Impact of Human Milk Banking on Maternal and Infant Health Outcomes

Human milk banks (HMBs) have become an important intervention to improve infant and maternal health outcomes, particularly for low birth weight (LBW), preterm, and medically fragile babies. Donor human milk (DHM) from donor banks has been proven to significantly reduce the incidence of life-threatening conditions such as necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and sepsis while promoting long-term immunological and neurodevelopmental benefits. Beyond its clinical benefits, human milk banks provide support to donors, particularly bereaved mothers, and alleviate the emotional burden on mothers unable to breastfeed. However, the scalability of HMBs, especially in low-middle-income countries, is limited by logistical, cultural, and awareness-related challenges. Addressing these barriers through community engagement, targeted education, and context-specific policies is necessary for maximizing the arguably positive impact of HMBs. This review synthesizes the role of human milk banks in reducing infant death and illness, promoting exclusive breastfeeding, and supporting maternal well-being. This paper also highlights the need for innovative strategies to overcome barriers and ensure the long-term sustainability of HMBs globally.