'Liquid gold' breast milk donations reduce life-threatening disease in premature babies by more than a third

by Australian Red Cross

edited by Lisa Lock, reviewed by Andrew Zinin

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The rate of a life-threatening gut disease called necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) has decreased by 38% in very premature babies who received donated breast milk from Australian Red Cross Lifeblood, according to research published in the Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health. The study is the first in Australia to look at the benefits and risks of donated breast milk for very preterm babies born less than 32 weeks.

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the most common cause of death in the 26,000 Australian babies born prematurely each year. It causes intestinal inflammation and tissue damage. These effects can lead to blood infection, or sepsis, and organ failure.

While a mother's own milk is best, premature babies often need extra nutrition in the early weeks of life while the mother's own supply is established. In these cases, donated breast milk is recommended by the World Health Organization for premature, very sick or small babies.

Australian Red Cross Lifeblood's milk donation service was established in 2018. At the time, around three-quarters of premature babies didn't have access to donated breast milk. The service now supplies more than 4,800 liters (1,268 gallons) to 45 hospitals across the country from dedicated milk facilities in Sydney and Brisbane. Demand continues to grow.

Led by Lifeblood, in collaboration with the Australian and New Zealand Neonatal Network, the study examined preterm infant outcomes before and after the launch of the milk service. Data from 15 hospitals covered 4,395 infants born at 32 weeks of gestation or less between 2018 and 2020.

Lead researcher Dr. Laura Klein explained that using donor breast milk instead of infant formula as supplementary nutrition can significantly reduce the risk of NEC for these preterm babies. NEC is a major health challenge because of its high mortality rate.

"Our research shows that donated breast milk is a simple intervention that can significantly reduce the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis, which causes stress and heartache for many NICU families," Klein said. "Interventions that can reduce NEC are very important, particularly as Australian neonatal intensive care units are seeing more admissions of infants born at 24 weeks' gestation, who are at the highest risk for NEC."

The study also found no association between the availability of donated breast milk and breast milk feeding at discharge, and no link with infections or mortality. "It is very important that donated breast milk doesn't impact maternal breastfeeding and is offered as part of lactation support, rather than in place of it," Klein explained.

Sydney milk donor Aanal became a donor to Lifeblood's milk service after the early arrival of her daughter, Maryam, at 31 weeks. "Maryam was an unexpected early arrival, and with baby still in the NICU, I was pumping eight times a day to ensure milk to help her grow, and I was running out of space in my freezer."

A community nurse in Marsden Park introduced her to a local milk donation service, something she wanted to do but knew little about.

"It was a convenient and easy way to donate. Maryam had only been home a few days when I started donating," she recalled. The mother's gratitude for the support she received motivated her to help others. Aanal has since donated more than 100 liters (26 gallons) of breast milk to help other mothers.

"We received donated breast milk while my supply was coming in. I was in the hospital for 10 days with sepsis, in the ICU, and needed support. Because she was too small to have formula, it was a relief to have the milk available.

"Breast milk was so important to us. My husband used to deliver my milk in the middle of the night—that's how critical it was for Maryam. It was a wonderful feeling to be able to help other mothers who might be in the same situation."

More information

Laura D. Klein et al, Impact of Access to Pasteurised Donor Human Milk on Rates of Necrotising Enterocolitis in Neonatal Units in Australia: A Cohort Study, Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health (2026). DOI: 10.1111/jpc.70472

Key medical concepts

Necrotizing EnterocolitisInfant FormulaSepsis

Clinical categories

PediatricsChildren's healthGastroenterology Provided by Australian Red Cross Who's behind this story?

Lisa Lock

BA art history, MA material culture. Former museum editor, paramedic, and transplant coordinator. Editing for Science X since 2021. Full profile →

Andrew Zinin

Master's in physics with research experience. Long-time science news enthusiast. Plays key role in Science X's editorial success. Full profile →

Citation: 'Liquid gold' breast milk donations reduce life-threatening disease in premature babies by more than a third (2026, July 9) retrieved 9 July 2026 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-liquid-gold-breast-donations-life.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.