More premature and medically vulnerable babies across New South Wales will gain access to pasteurised donor human milk, as the statewide program expands beyond neonatal intensive care units into additional hospital Special Care Units.
An additional 28 public hospitals will now be eligible to order pasteurised donor human milk through Australian Red Cross Lifeblood, bringing the total number of participating NSW public hospitals to 37.
The expansion is intended to give more babies access to donor milk closer to home, including those receiving care in regional hospitals.
Donor Milk Access Expands Beyond NICUs
Previously, pasteurised donor human milk was primarily available to babies receiving treatment in Neonatal Intensive Care Units, which care for critically ill and extremely premature newborns.
The expanded program will make donor milk available in more Special Care Units, including hospitals in regional centres such as:
- Dubbo
- Gosford
- Wollongong
- Wagga Wagga
- Lismore
Special Care Units support newborns who need additional medical care but do not require the intensive monitoring provided in a NICU.
NSW Health has previously confirmed plans to expand access to pasteurised donor human milk from NICUs to all NSW Health neonatal units by the end of 2026.
Who Is Eligible?
Participating hospitals will be able to order donor human milk on demand for eligible babies, particularly those:
- Born before 32 weeks of pregnancy
- Born weighing less than 1,500 grams
- Assessed as being at high risk of serious medical conditions, including some gut or heart conditions
A mother’s own breast milk remains the preferred feeding option. Pasteurised donor human milk may be used temporarily when a mother’s own supply is not yet sufficient.
Human milk is particularly important for very premature or low-birth-weight babies because it is easier to digest and can help reduce the risk of serious conditions such as necrotising enterocolitis, a potentially severe intestinal disease.
Statewide Milk Bank Operating Since 2018
NSW’s statewide donor human milk service was launched in 2018 through a partnership between NSW Health and the Australian Red Cross.
The service collects milk from screened donors before testing, pasteurising and distributing it to eligible hospitals.
When the statewide milk bank first opened, NSW Health estimated around 1,000 babies each year were born in the state before 32 weeks gestation or at very low birth weight and could potentially require specialised care.
Since the program began, almost 3,000 mothers have donated around 24,000 litres of breast milk nationally, with more than 15,000 litres supplied to NSW hospitals, according to the latest program figures released by the NSW Government.
Supporting Families Closer to Home
The latest expansion means premature babies who move from intensive care into Special Care Units may be able to continue receiving donor milk without needing to remain at a major tertiary hospital solely for access to the service.
Australian Red Cross Lifeblood says the change will broaden access for families whose babies require additional support but do not need full intensive care.
Donors are screened through a health assessment and blood testing process, while donated milk is pasteurised and tested before being supplied to hospitals. No payment is made for breast milk donations.
The expansion forms part of NSW Health’s wider maternity and neonatal care program, with the state aiming to make pasteurised donor human milk available across all neonatal units by the end of 2026.
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