TOP 20 - Donor Human Milk: Prevailing Thoughts Among Mothers Delivering at a Community Hospital

Publication Number: 2772.TOP 20

Priyanka N. Arya, The Brooklyn Hospital Center, Brooklyn, NY, United States; Noah Kondamudi, The Brooklyn Hospital Center, west orange, NJ, United States; Amrita Gujar, The Brooklyn Hospital Center, Brooklyn, NY, United States

Background: Donor human milk (DHM) is widely recognized as the preferred alternative when a mother’s own milk is unavailable, particularly for preterm or medically fragile infants. Despite its proven benefits, acceptance of DHM varies across populations due to cultural beliefs, limited awareness, and misconceptions about safety. Understanding maternal perceptions of DHM in diverse communities is essential to strengthen lactation support and promote informed decision-making.

Objective: To assess awareness, acceptance, and factors influencing maternal perceptions toward the use of donor human milk among mothers delivering at a community hospital.

Design/Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted among 100 mothers, including both postpartum (n=58) and pregnant women (n=42). The survey evaluated awareness, attitudes, and willingness to use or donate DHM, as well as sociodemographic factors (age, parity, education, ethnicity, country of origin, mode of delivery, and infant gestational age). Data is being analyzed using descriptive statistics, and associations between demographic factors and DHM acceptance is being examined using chi-square tests.