Milk Collective for Humans

In India, the journey of human milk banking began in 1989 with the establishment of the first milk bank at Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College and General Hospital in Mumbai [1]. Since then, the number of milk banks has grown to around 90 across the country, although some states like Bihar are still yet to establish their first milk bank [1].

The evolution of human milk banking in India has been marked by increasing awareness and public participation. Hospitals such as the Karnataka Medical College-Research Institute (KMC-RI) in Hubballi run milk banks like 'Jeevamrutha', collecting substantial volumes of donated milk from thousands of mothers and targeting vulnerable infants, such as those who are premature or sick [2].

Individual contributions have also played a significant role in advancing milk banking. For instance, Selva Brindha from Tamil Nadu donated a record 300.17 litres over 22 months (April 2023 to February 2025) to the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital Milk Bank, significantly supporting premature and critically ill infants [3][5].

Recently, hospitals like Ankura Hospital in Telangana have strengthened neonatal care through the establishment of state-of-the-art milk banks integrated with neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). These facilities emphasize the essential benefits of breast milk for newborns and reinforce the cultural acceptance and promotion of human milk donation [4].

In Brazil, the story of human milk banking is equally impressive. In 2011, over 166,000 moms donated breast milk, feeding nearly 170,000 infants, totalling 165,000 litres [6]. The milk bank director is responsible for organizing, implementing, and evaluating the services, while a microbiologist oversees microbiology testing and infection control policies [7].

A milk bank technician is responsible for pasteurizing breastmilk and monitoring microorganisms, and a milk bank attendant maintains hygiene, collects, sterilizes containers, and upholds hygiene [7]. Donors are not compensated for their gifts, and criteria for breast milk donors include being in good health, exhibiting good health-related behavior, and having enough milk after successfully breastfeeding their child [8].

The donor population for human milk banks consists of healthy nursing mothers with healthy infants who voluntarily agree to donate surplus breastmilk for other newborns without compromising their own infant's nutritional requirements [8]. Human milk banks provide infants with essential nutrients and distinctive advantages of human milk, supporting their immune systems, growth, and development, and general health and wellness [9].

In Singapore, a three-year trial donor breast milk bank was opened in 2017, a partnership between Temasek Foundation Cares and KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH) [10]. Australia also operates at least six human milk banks, including Red Cross Lifeblood and Mothers Milk Bank Pty Ltd [11].

Building a focused research agenda is necessary to generate the data needed to create solid global guidelines on the procedures related to human milk banking and the proper use of donor human milk [12]. A team of experts should be assembled by human milk banks to direct their entire growth and operation, including experts in lactation, microbiology, nutrition, public health, and food technology, as well as paediatrics/neonatology [13].

The Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA) sets guidelines for safe milk collection and use in North America [14]. Human milk banks are becoming more popular around the world due to growing awareness of the advantages of donor human milk and the demand for it [15].

In conclusion, the history of human milk banking reflects a gradual expansion from initial pioneering efforts to widespread institutionalization with increasing community involvement, public awareness initiatives, and integration into neonatal healthcare facilities. However, geographic disparities in milk bank availability remain, underscoring the urgent need to construct milk banks all over the country, especially in the large neonatal units of all hospitals [16].

Science and medical research continue to emphasize the importance of healthy habits, such as breastfeeding, in ensuring the health and wellness of infants.
The global scientific community acknowledges the role of human milk in supporting the immune systems, growth, and development of newborns.
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