This Prematurity Awareness Month, our CEO, Deborah C. Youngblood, and Medical Director, Dr. Gina M. Trachimowicz, explore one of life’s most challenging journeys: welcoming a baby too soon. Below, they highlight the daily complexities faced by families with premature babies and celebrate the remarkable progress in neonatal care that helps these tiny fighters grow and thrive. Among the most powerful — yet often overlooked — advances is human donor milk, a timely reminder that community remains a vital lifeline for families navigating this rocky path . . .
Premature babies, and the Lifesaving Properties of Human Donor Milk
By Dr. Gina M. Trachimowicz and Deborah Connolly Youngblood
“One of the most significant advancements I’ve witnessed in my career as a neonatologist is the incorporation of human donor milk into the standard of care for low-birth weight, premature infants,” said Dr. Gina Trachimowicz, who practices neonatology at MaineHealth Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital and serves as Vice President of a neonatology practice.
“Although my work is grounded in science, the benefits of donor milk to these fragile newborns often feel extraordinary – almost miraculous. Why is donor milk so essential for this medically vulnerable population? Babies born very small and very early face multiple obstacles. With immature digestive systems, human milk is not only the safest option – it’s also the most easily tolerated form of nutrition to support their development,” explains Dr. Trachimowicz.
Because mothers of preterm infants often cannot immediately produce sufficient milk, donor milk fills a critical gap. It allows neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) to deliver the proven benefits of human milk when a mother’s own milk supply is not yet available. In the northeast United States most hospitals and families are served by the regional nonprofit Mothers’ Milk Bank Northeast.
Mothers’ Milk Bank Northeast serves over 100 hospitals across 11 states. Across the US, there is a network of nonprofit milk banks that are accredited by the Human Milk Banking Association of North America, and collectively they provide the vast majority of donor milk distributed in hospital and outpatient settings to babies who need it.
The burden of prematurity is not evenly shared
In the United States, nearly 1 in 10 babies in the state are born preterm, and the burden of prematurity is not evenly shared. Black babies are about 1.4 times more likely to be born too soon compared to all other babies. Over the past decade, preterm birth rates have continued to rise, prompting concern among health experts. The March of Dimes gives the United States a D+ grade on its 2024 report card for preterm births, underscoring the urgent need to do better for our tiniest and most vulnerable residents.
Nonprofit donor milk banks prioritize premature babies because, while human milk is beneficial for all babies, for preemies it can be lifesaving. An exclusive human milk diet significantly reduces the risk of babies contracting necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a life-threatening intestinal condition especially common among very low-birth-weight babies. “When these babies receive human milk, their risk of NEC is cut by about half. This relatively simple intervention has become a true game-changer in NICU care,” explains Dr. Trachimowicz.
Her commitment to equitable access to safe donor milk and strong clinical oversight inspired her to serve as the volunteer medical director for Mothers’ Milk Bank Northeast, a nonprofit dedicated to ensuring that every baby has access to safe, pasteurized human milk.
A shift in neonatal standards of care
“We exist because babies need us to exist,” explains Deborah Youngblood, CEO of Mothers Milk Bank Northeast. “We work with moms who have more milk than their own baby needs – or who have tragically lost a baby and choose to honor their baby’s memory through this gift. Mothers’ Milk Bank Northeast conducts rigorous donor screenings, pasteurization, and testing to provide a natural product that protects babies and helps them grow and thrive.”
Numerous studies support that when a mother’s own milk is unavailable, pasteurized human donor milk is the next best option. This is affirmed by leading organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, World Health Organization, and US Department of Health and Human Services. Recognition of the positive health outcomes related to donor milk has led to a shift in neonatal standards of care – most NICUs in the United States now offer pasteurized human donor milk as part of routine practice.
The gift of milk is unlike any other
Donor milk protects newborn lives and supports families in ways that are harder to measure as well. One mother with a baby who received donor milk explained,
“When my son was born, I felt like a failure. He was minutes old, and I was already failing at being a mom. He was born too early; I failed at keeping him safely inside of me. He needed doctors and nurses to care for him, I wasn’t enough. And then they told me that he should only have breast milk, and my milk wasn’t in yet. I couldn’t even feed my baby. Then they offered me donor milk, and it felt like a group of other moms suddenly stood up beside me, that they offered their support, they told me, ‘We got you, you don’t have to do this alone. We are here to help.’”
The gift of milk is unlike any other. It delivers nourishment, support, hope, and healing. It helps babies thrive. It helps parents heal. It creates a powerful and generous circle of giving – helping parents feel seen, supported, and less alone.
The benefits of breastfeeding for both moms and babies are significant
In addition to serving medically fragile babies in hospital NICUs, screened donor milk is also available to support families during the early post-partum period. Using donor milk, instead of formula, while working through early breastfeeding challenges can lead to higher rates of successful breastfeeding.
The benefits of breastfeeding for both moms and babies are significant. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children who are breastfed have improved neurodevelopmental outcomes and better long-term physical and dental health outcomes. Children who are breastfed have lower risks of many medical conditions including SIDS, asthma, Celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, diabetes, leukemia, and childhood obesity. Breastfeeding also contributes to maternal health benefits including decreased risk of certain cancers, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension. Yet, establishing breastfeeding can take days or even weeks, and many families need support. Parents seeking donor milk as a “bridge” to breastfeeding can access it through hospitals, milk bank dispensaries, or directly from Mothers’ Milk Bank Northeast.
Every baby deserves the best, safest nutrition possible
“Every baby deserves the best, safest nutrition possible,” said CEO Deborah Youngblood. “Those babies born early and small – they need a human milk option to protect them if mom’s own milk isn’t available. Mothers’ Milk Bank Northeast is a nonprofit with a mission singularly focused on babies. We’re proud to serve families who need us and deeply grateful to the generous parents whose milk donations and financial gifts fuel this life-saving work. Together we are building a healthier future for all our babies.”
Nonprofit milk banks like Mothers’ Milk Bank Northeast cannot do this work alone. To meet the needs of all babies who require donor milk, mothers who have more milk than their own baby needs should consider donating it. Healthcare providers can raise awareness among expectant and new parents. Community members can contribute financially to help cover the costs and expand access to life-saving milk. Every ounce matters. Every gift helps ensure that babies receive the safe start they deserve.
