The project
In this study, we will collect milk-samples of donated breast milk from all 12 Norwegian milk banks and analyze the composition of nutrients and environmental contaminants.
Breast milk will be collected at several periods during 2026-2027. To investigate factors that may influence the composition of breast milk, we will also collect information about diet and other background factors about the donor mothers.
Work-package 1
Breast milk will be collected at 3 timepoints during one year form all the 12 milkbanks in Norway to investigate whether the amount of nutrients and environmental toxins is affected by factors surrounding the donor.
Work-package 2
Breast milk will be collected at one timepoint and stored for up to 1,5 years. The samples will be analyzed to investigate temporal variations in nutrients and environmental toxins in stored breast milk.
Background
Newborns are dependent on breast milk for optimal health, growth and development, especially hospitalised infants in need of intensive care. However, some mothers are unable to provide breast milk to their infants, so breast milk donated and stored in milk banks can be vital.
Still, we do not know if the composition of donor-milk is optimal and safe for these vulnerable children.
Various factors affect the composition of components in breast milk, such as diet, the breastfeeding period, place of residence, exposure of environmental contaminants, e.g., but also how the breast milk is processed and stored.
As comprehensive data on donor breast milk composition and on milk stored in milk banks, is lacking or old, the present project may contribute to better donor breast milk quality and improved standardization of handling breast milk donated to milk banks, in Norway, and possibly internationally as well.
