If you’re reading this, you probably know it’s World Breastfeeding Week (WBW)—one of the most important weeks of the year, in our opinion. Of course, no matter the season, here at Mothers’ Milk Bank Northeast we’re always focused on helping babies get the best possible start in life. While most of our milk goes to medically fragile babies who rely on it to fuel their fight for a bright future, we’re also proud to support families across the Northeast (including New Jersey!) who are working to establish breastfeeding in those early days. Why? Because we know breastfeeding helps build stronger, healthier communities.
Today, New Jersey State Breastfeeding Coordinator Ellen Maughan, JD, IBCLC, shares more about this year’s World Breastfeeding Week theme and an exciting new state-led initiative.
This year’s World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) theme is “Prioritize Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems.” What does that mean exactly?
This year’s theme is all about highlighting the role of breastfeeding in both human and environmental health. We know that breast milk is the ideal first food for babies because of its balance of protein, carbohydrates, fats, living cells, and immunological components. However, the link between breastfeeding and a healthier planet isn’t as widely acknowledged. “Homemade,” breast milk is a natural and renewable food. Producing it doesn’t require a huge amount of water or fossil fuel consumption. Additionally, it generates very little to no landfill waste.
How does donor milk fit into this theme?
Donor milk is an invaluable source of food and medicine when mom’s own milk is not available. This is especially true for premature and medically fragile infants. Not only is it the safest feeding alternative for babies but it can actually save lives by preventing serious infections.
Of course, donor milk also plays a crucial role in supporting families with healthy, full-term babies. When used as a supplement it can “bridge the gap” (i.e. keep breastfeeding going) while a parent works to establish their milk supply in those early days. And research shows that maintaining exclusive breast milk feeding in the hospital is central to longer term breastfeeding. In other words, donor milk can help families stay on track with their breastfeeding goals, which offers a multitude of public health and environmental benefits.
Can you explain how donor milk functions differently from formula in supporting breastfeeding during the early days?
For parents, those first weeks are about getting to know their new baby. They’re also trying to help their little one transition to “life on the outside.” Newborns are adjusting to a lot – changing sounds and temperatures, hunger pangs, digestion – and it’s all happening at once.
Donor milk is significantly easier for babies to digest than formula, often leading to fewer issues like constipation or diarrhea. With increased comfort and less likelihood of distress, babies tend to be more settled, helping to reduce stress for new parents. This, in turn, frees up physical and emotional energy, allowing families to focus more fully on their feeding goals.
What are some common situations where donor milk can support breastfeeding success?
Some birth and infant complications can delay the onset of a full milk supply. While most birthing parents can produce colostrum—often called “liquid gold”—right after birth, the transition to mature milk happens later for some. For example, milk supply often develops later in diabetic women, following a C-section birth, or when there has been significant blood loss during delivery.
Likewise, some infant conditions like jaundice can leave a baby sleepier after birth. This tiredness can hinder baby’s sucking at the breast. Since frequent emptying of the breasts is critical to building a strong milk supply, this can jeopardize lactation.
Another complication we hear a lot about is infant tongue tie . . .
Absolutely. Tongue-tie is a condition in which a baby’s oral tissue restricts their tongue movement. This can hamper an infant’s ability to latch deeply and suck effectively. Limiting milk transfer, this can inhibit the development of a full milk supply.
In all of these cases donor milk can play a vital role. Serving as a temporary supplement until these issues are resolved, it helps preserve breastfeeding as a long-term option.
How can state laws, policies and initiatives help improve access to donor milk?
One of the most impactful things states can do is require insurance, including Medicaid, to cover the cost of donor milk when medically necessary. This makes donor milk accessible to more families, regardless of income. When all families can choose donor milk without financial hardship, health outcomes improve, and health equity is advanced.
Implementing this coverage, especially by Medicaid, can be a long process, but it’s worth state policymakers’ efforts. As many lactation supporters are fond of saying, “Health equity begins with breastfeeding!”
What about hospital and outpatient settings? Is there a way to better support them?
Statewide initiatives can absolutely support hospitals, clinics, and providers in making donor milk more available. For example, policymakers can develop toolkits that provide guidance for launching these programs. They can also offer insight regarding reimbursement strategies to remove the financial burden for patients.
Speaking of state programs, New Jersey recently launched some exciting new initiatives to support breastfeedingand access to donor milk
State policies and programs have a powerful role to play in promoting health equity. Because breastfeeding supports the health of infants, mothers, and families across the lifespan, it must be integrated into maternal and child health policymaking. When states prioritize breastfeeding education and normalize human milk as a valuable health resource, they improve overall public health outcomes.
Excitingly, New Jersey is embarking on a new effort to do precisely that. With funding from the New Jersey Department of Health, we are launching the New Jersey Supports Breastfeeding (NJSB) initiative. This initiative recognizes that everyone—families, health care professionals, employers, communities, and government—has a role in supporting breastfeeding and human milk feeding.
The cornerstone of NJSB is a new statewide website offering dependable, evidence-based breastfeeding information and resources. Crucially, the website also highlights the valuable role of donor human milk, providing information on how to access, use, and donate this precious resource.
Finally, how can increasing access to donor milk lead to a stronger community of milk donors?
With expanded access to donor milk, demand for this resource is likely to grow. As donor milk becomes more available, more people will learn about its life-saving benefits and broader impact. This increased visibility and understanding can inspire more people to become milk donors.
Again, state-led campaigns can help raise awareness about milk donation and the many benefits of donor milk—for babies, families, communities, and the environment.
