I was discussing w/ colleagues  the recent case in England about a woman (unable to BF due to breast ca treatment)  who initially was denied further EBM from a milk bank for her premature child, but appealed the decision and is still receiving the milk < http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/cancerhit-mother-appeals-over-breastmilk-ruling-1837739.html >  < http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1186057_mums_victory_in_breast_milk_donor_battle > 



The topic of milk banks in general, and age-specific breastmilk in particular, came up.  It seems that many milk banks only take donations from mothers whose own children are under 6 months, and we weren't sure whether this is due to the changing composition of breastmilk w/ the child's age, or due to other factors. 



Since the limited availability of EBM from milk banks means that many premature infants will receive formula instead, we were debating whether the age restrictions implied that formula was *more* appropriate for a premature infant than non-age-matched human milk. 



It seems to me that human milk would always (in the absence of metabolic disease precluding its use) be more appropriate than non-human-milk-based formula (even if the human milk needed fortification due to different composition), but then why the age restrictions on donations? 



I was hoping someone with more experience and knowledge about milk banks could weigh in and help me understand why there are age restrictions, and whether that has implications on the use of milk for an older infant in the preemie population. 



Thanks in advance! 



Spencer ~ MD and LLL leader 



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       E. Spencer Joslin-Montlick, MD 

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