NSW expands access to donor human milk for premature babies

The Australian Red Cross Lifeblood program is expanding access to pasteurised donor human milk across New South Wales. An additional 28 public hospitals are now eligible to order the milk, increasing the total number of participating NSW public hospitals to 37.

Previously, the service was primarily available to babies in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs). The expansion extends access to Special Care Units, which support newborns who require extra care but do not need intensive monitoring. This change specifically benefits regional areas, including Lismore, Dubbo, Gosford, Wollongong, and Wagga Wagga.

Participating hospitals can order the milk on demand for eligible infants, such as those born before 32 weeks, babies weighing less than 1,500 grams, or those at high risk of specific medical conditions. While a mother’s own milk remains the preferred option, donor milk serves as a vital supplement when a mother’s supply is not yet established.

Since the program's inception in 2018, nearly 3,000 mothers have donated approximately 24,000 litres of breast milk nationally, with over 15,000 litres supplied to hospitals in New South Wales.