Milk kinship is not an obstacle to using donor human milk to feed preterm infants in Muslim countries

Abstract

The development of human milk banks in Muslim countries is challenging because of the tradition of milk kinship. In other countries, this tradition imposes restrictions on Muslim mothers with regard to donating their milk or receiving donor milk for their preterm baby. However, Muslim law does allow the use of donated human milk under certain conditions, for example if it comes from a single known donor or is pooled from the milk of at least three donors.

Conclusion: Muslim parents need to be made aware that human milk banks can be used for preterm babies if strict conditions are met.

Keywords: Breastfeeding; Human milk bank; Milk kinship; Muslim; Religion.