Human milk and NEC
Mother’s own milk provides the most protection against necrotizing enterocolitis. When mother’s own milk is not available, pasteurized donor milk is the next safest option. Formula does not provide any protection against NEC.
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Exploring Human Milk's Role in Protecting Against NEC
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a devastating intestinal disease that primarily affects premature infants. NEC can also affect term babies, especially infants with a medical condition, like a congenital heart defect. NEC causes severe inflammation of the intestine, leading to a bacterial infection causing necrosis (tissue death).
How to Optimize the Use of Mother's Own Milk in the NICU
Breastmilk Provides Essential Protection
Breastmilk provides essential nutrients, antibodies, and enzymes that are critical for all infants, but can be lifesaving for premature and low birth weight infants who have underdeveloped immune systems and immature guts. Breastmilk protects against infections, such as necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and sepsis, which can be deadly for premature or low-birth-weight babies. For infants at risk of NEC, mother’s milk and donor milk can be lifesaving.
Mother’s own milk provides the best protection against NEC. When mother’s own milk is not available, pasteurized donor milk is the next safest option. If neither mother’s milk nor donor milk is available, then an infant might need to receive formula. Formula does not provide any protection against NEC. Without mother’s milk or donor milk, premature and medically fragile infants are at higher risk of NEC.
To learn more about formula and NEC, please read this article by the NEC Society’s Key Opinion Leader, Dr. Mark Underwood.
American Academy of Pediatrics Clinical Report
All babies need equitable access to human milk, and this means we must prioritize maternal health and lactation support in and beyond the NICU.
To read the American Academy of Pediatrics’ clinical report on promoting human milk and breastfeeding for very low birth weight infants, click below.
Resource on Human Milk Fortifier for NICU Families
This resource was developed to support conversations between clinicians and families about the use of Human Milk Fortifier (HMF) in the NICU. Designed for parents of premature and very low birth weight infants, this evidence-based resource explains the role of Human Milk Fortifier (HMF), the benefits of mother’s own milk, and how fortification helps meet the unique nutritional needs of preterm infants. The handout also includes links to additional resources for families seeking more information.
Jennifer holding her son, Micah, transferring breastmilk into bottles that will be taken and prepped for his feeding tube.
When mother’s own milk is not available, pasteurized donor human milk offers the next best protection against NEC.
How Does Donor Milk Protect Against NEC?
Immune Protection: Donor milk contains immunoglobulins (antibodies) that help boost the infant’s immune system, protecting them from NEC. Donor milk contains cytokines and growth factors that help regulate the infant’s immune response.
Gut Health: Donor milk helps to support the development of a healthy microbiome, the community of beneficial bacteria in the gut. These bacteria help prevent harmful pathogens from taking hold and thus reduce the risk of NEC.
- Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are present in donor milk and act as prebiotics, fostering the growth of beneficial bacteria and preventing harmful bacteria from causing infection.
- Donor milk is rich in enzymes, proteins, and fatty acids that promote the development of a baby’s gut, aiding in digestion and improving overall growth.
- The bioactive components in donor milk help reduce inflammation in the gut, a key factor in the development of NEC. This helps to maintain the integrity of the intestinal lining and prevent infection.
Find a Milk Bank Near You
The Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA) believes in a world where all infants have access to human milk through support of breastfeeding and use of pasteurized donor human milk.
