ArticleInternational breastfeeding journal2025
Human milk donation in Australia: a qualitative study of donors and potential donors.
Article in International breastfeeding journal, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
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Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- Potential Donors' Awareness and Perceived Feasibility of Donating Human Milk in Australia.Maternal & child nutrition · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundMilk banks in Australia rely on the generosity of voluntary donors, enabling them to provide pasteurised donor human milk to vulnerable infants in hospitals. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences and perceptions of donating to a milk bank amongst breastfeeding women who are milk donors, or potentially eligible to donate milk. Having a deeper understanding of the barriers and facilitators for donating to a milk bank will promote sustainability of these services.
methodsA qualitative descriptive design was used to collect data from 31 participants, either donating, or potentially eligible to donate, to Australian Red Cross Lifeblood’s (Lifeblood) milk bank. Participants were interviewed between May and September 2024 regarding their experiences and perceptions of donation to a milk bank. Interview data were analysed using inductive content analysis.
findingsFive themes were identified: Knowing about milk donation; being motivated to donate; being (in)eligible to donate; donating needs to be easy and convenient; and trusting a regulated organisation. Many participants initially lacked awareness about milk donation and often learned through online searches or informal sources like social media. They were motivated by a desire to help, a sense of social responsibility, and not wanting to waste milk. Eligibility was influenced by health, lifestyle, and milk supply. Sickness at home was a major source of disruption to collection of milk for donation. Convenience, such as home collection and provision of milk storage bags, facilitated milk donation. Trust in Lifeblood as a regulated organisation played a key role, with many valuing its reputation and safeguards for both donors and recipients.
conclusionsBreastfeeding women in Australia may be unaware that they can donate their excess milk to a milk bank. Consideration should be given to increasing awareness of milk donation in Australia amongst both breastfeeding women and healthcare workers caring for women who could become milk donors. Further, to improve the recruitment and retention of milk donors, milk banks should prioritise the ease and accessibility of the service to ensure positive donor experiences.
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