California has declared May as the state's first Human Milk Donation Month through Senate Resolution 20, authored by Senators Dave Cortese and Aisha Wahab, to raise awareness about the life-saving potential of donor human milk for premature and medically fragile infants. The resolution coincides with the release of a comprehensive report, The State of Human Milk Banking in California, which reveals a 30% increase in demand for pasteurized donor human milk (PDHM) over the past year. Mothers' Milk Bank California, which distributes milk to 60% of California's Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs), reports that the current donor pool meets less than 75% of this increased demand, creating a critical shortage for vulnerable newborns.
Preterm infants represent the primary population requiring donor human milk, with up to 99% of very preterm or very low birthweight babies in California using PDHM in NICUs. Reasons for milk donation needs include maternal absence, potential disease transmission risks, medication incompatibility with breastfeeding, hospitalization, and lactation challenges. Jennifer Benito-Kowalski, CEO of Mothers' Milk Bank California, emphasized that only 2% of eligible donors in California are currently contributing, despite 1 in 11 babies being born preterm. The organization provides detailed information about donation at https://www.mothersmilk.org.
Donor screening processes ensure milk safety through medical screenings to determine donor eligibility. Donated milk undergoes pasteurization to eliminate pathogens while preserving nutritional value, followed by comprehensive health testing before distribution to hospitals and individuals. Senator Dave Cortese highlighted breast milk's unique properties in preventing serious infant diseases like Necrotizing Enterocolitis, which can be fatal to premature babies. Multiple organizations are supporting the public awareness campaign, including UC Health Milk Bank, California Breastfeeding Coalition, and community groups. The California Breastfeeding Coalition offers resources at https://californiabreastfeeding.org.
The implications of this announcement are significant for neonatal care across California, as it addresses a growing public health concern. With demand outpacing supply, the designation of Human Milk Donation Month aims to mobilize more donors and increase public understanding of milk banking's critical role. The resolution underscores the state's commitment to improving health outcomes for its most vulnerable infants through community-supported nutrition solutions. As awareness grows, healthcare providers hope to close the gap between supply and demand, ensuring that every premature infant has access to the life-saving benefits of donor human milk.
