Breastfeeding and human milk banking: unlocking benefits for premature babies

More than 25,000 babies are born premature every year in Australia. The benefits of breast milk for preterm babies are well known, yet, due to their immaturity, successful breastfeeding can be a challenge for many preterm babies and their mothers. This event will include presentations covering the science behind the beneficial effects of breast milk, current initiatives in the neonatal nursery to support breastfeeding, use of medications to boost breast milk supply, and the success and research directions of Australia’s first national donor human milk bank.

Our Speakers
A/Professor Alice Rumbold, Principal Research Fellow and co-lead, Perinatal and Pregnancy Care Program, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) - Breastfeeding premature babies: benefits, challenges and new research to support mums and babies

A/Professor Amy Keir, Consultant Neonatologist, Women’s and Children’s Hospital / NHMRC Early Career Fellow, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) and the University of Adelaide - Maternal breastmilk, donor milk and quality improvement – bring them all together!

A/Professor Luke Grzeskowiak, Channel 7 Children’s Research Foundation Fellow (Medication Use and Safety) / Head, Paediatric and Perinatal Pharmacoepidemiology Research Group, Flinders University and the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) - Using medications and other substances to boost breast milk supply – evidence vs. hype

Dr Laura Klein, Research Fellow, Australian Red Cross Lifeblood - Milk Banks’ roles in providing vulnerable infants with a human milk diet

Our Chairs
Professor Maria Makrides is Deputy Director at the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) and the Theme Leader for SAHMRI Women and Kids.

Professor Claire Roberts (HDA Co-Convenor) is an inaugural NHMRC Leadership Fellow and Professor and Matthew Flinders Fellow. She leads the Pregnancy Health and Beyond Laboratory (PHaB Lab) within the College of Medicine and Public Health at Flinders University.