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CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
Enhancing donor human milk sustainability in Switzerland: Analysis of guidelines, policy documents, and stakeholder experience
1
HESAV School of Health Sciences - Vaud- HES-SO University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland, Midwifery, Lausanne, Switzerland
2
The University of Queensland, School of Nursing- Midwifery and Social Work- Faculty of Health and Behavioural Science, Queensland, Australia
3
University of South Australia, Clinical Health Sciences, Adelaide, Australia
4
The Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Queensland Health, Herston, Australia
5
Lausanne University Hospital, Department Mother-Woman-Child- Clinic of Neonatology, Lausanne, Switzerland
6
University of Lausanne, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, Lausanne, Switzerland
Eur J Midwifery 2026;10(Supplement 1):A24
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Donor human milk is a recommended beneficial alternative for feeding vulnerable infants, particularly preterm newborns, when mothers’ own milk is scarce. Despite the growth of human milk banks globally, including in Switzerland, demand often exceeds supply, resulting in inequitable access. Compared to other forms of donation, such as blood, the sustainability of donor human milk remains underexplored.
OBJECTIVES:
This two-part mixed-methods study explore factors influencing the sustainability of donor human milk across the social, economic, and environmental pillars, and at macro (systems, policy and guidelines), meso (institutional, milk bank stakeholders), and micro (individual donors) levels.
METHODS:
In phase one, a systematic literature search (June 2023-June 2024) via Medline (PubMed) and CINAHL identified eight key global, European, and Swiss documents. These were analysed using a multi-level sustainability framework. Phase two comprised semi-structured interviews (January-July 2024) with 14 key stakeholders. Data were thematically analysed to identify barriers, facilitators, and strategies for sustainable practice. Human Research Ethics Approval was obtained from the University of Queensland (#2023/HE000267).
RESULTS:
Document analysis revealed inconsistent attention to sustainability across levels. Social aspects were most frequently addressed, with fewer economic considerations, and minimal environmental focus. Swiss guidelines focused primarily on the meso level, offering context-specific recommendations. Stakeholder interviews identified five themes central to sustainability: (1) governance, (2) excellence and innovation, (3) operational structures, (4) procedural standardisation, and (5) the broader donation context.
CONCLUSIONS:
A coherent, multi-level approach is needed to enhance donor human milk sustainability. Integrating document analysis with stakeholder expertise may help develop evidence-based strategies to strengthen milk donation systems and help meet the demand.
KEY MESSAGE:
Donor human milk sustainability is unevenly addressed in current documents framing milk donation, with limited focus on environmental aspects. Future guidelines should promote an integrated approach across policy, organisational, and behavioural levels, supported by further research. Professional development - networks (including three-minute presentation competition)
Donor human milk is a recommended beneficial alternative for feeding vulnerable infants, particularly preterm newborns, when mothers’ own milk is scarce. Despite the growth of human milk banks globally, including in Switzerland, demand often exceeds supply, resulting in inequitable access. Compared to other forms of donation, such as blood, the sustainability of donor human milk remains underexplored.
OBJECTIVES:
This two-part mixed-methods study explore factors influencing the sustainability of donor human milk across the social, economic, and environmental pillars, and at macro (systems, policy and guidelines), meso (institutional, milk bank stakeholders), and micro (individual donors) levels.
METHODS:
In phase one, a systematic literature search (June 2023-June 2024) via Medline (PubMed) and CINAHL identified eight key global, European, and Swiss documents. These were analysed using a multi-level sustainability framework. Phase two comprised semi-structured interviews (January-July 2024) with 14 key stakeholders. Data were thematically analysed to identify barriers, facilitators, and strategies for sustainable practice. Human Research Ethics Approval was obtained from the University of Queensland (#2023/HE000267).
RESULTS:
Document analysis revealed inconsistent attention to sustainability across levels. Social aspects were most frequently addressed, with fewer economic considerations, and minimal environmental focus. Swiss guidelines focused primarily on the meso level, offering context-specific recommendations. Stakeholder interviews identified five themes central to sustainability: (1) governance, (2) excellence and innovation, (3) operational structures, (4) procedural standardisation, and (5) the broader donation context.
CONCLUSIONS:
A coherent, multi-level approach is needed to enhance donor human milk sustainability. Integrating document analysis with stakeholder expertise may help develop evidence-based strategies to strengthen milk donation systems and help meet the demand.
KEY MESSAGE:
Donor human milk sustainability is unevenly addressed in current documents framing milk donation, with limited focus on environmental aspects. Future guidelines should promote an integrated approach across policy, organisational, and behavioural levels, supported by further research. Professional development - networks (including three-minute presentation competition)
| eISSN: | 2585-2906 |
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