The Vital Importance of Human Milk for New Zealand's Neonates

New Zealand's neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) are at the forefront of caring for some of the country's most vulnerable infants, including those born preterm or with complex medical needs. Recent advocacy from Massey University underscores a pivotal truth: human milk is not merely optimal nutrition but a life-saving medical intervention for these pēpi (babies). For parents navigating the emotional and logistical challenges of NICU stays, understanding the profound benefits of mother's own milk or pasteurised donor human milk (PDHM) can transform outcomes. This push for systemic change highlights how universities like Massey are driving evidence-based improvements in maternal and infant health.

In Aotearoa New Zealand, advances in neonatal medicine mean more extremely preterm infants survive, often requiring prolonged hospitalisation. Yet, support for lactation and human milk feeding varies widely across facilities, prompting researchers to call for a national baseline to guide policy and equity.

Massey University's Pioneering Research Initiative

Dr. Ying Jin, Senior Lecturer in Massey's School of Health Sciences, leads a crucial project funded by the Palmerston North Medical Research Fund. Over three years, she has collaborated with clinicians, lactation consultants, and human milk bank staff to map lactation support and human milk feeding practices in NICUs nationwide. This effort addresses a glaring gap: while exclusive breastfeeding rates for healthy full-term babies at discharge are tracked nationally, no systematic data exists for hospitalised infants.

The project reveals stark variations, such as the availability of International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs), staff training on human milk handling, access to donor milk, and protocols for skin-to-skin contact. Dr. Jin emphasises a shift from blaming mothers to evaluating system readiness: "How well are our hospitals structured to ensure all infants have access to human milk?"

This work positions Massey as a leader in nutritional science, fostering collaborations like the recent mentorship from Prof. Diane L. Spatz of the University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Ying Jin: A Profile in Maternal Nutrition Excellence

With a PhD from Massey University (2022) and expertise in micronutrients, thyroid function, and lactation, Dr. Jin's career exemplifies the impact of higher education on public health. Her research spans the Mother and Infant Nutrition Investigation (MINI) study, exploring iodine, selenium, and iron in breastfeeding dyads, to innovative NICU-focused projects.

Current grants include an HRC Activation Grant for PDHM consent guidelines and an Explorer Grant for time-matched donor human milk (DHM), aligning milk with infants' circadian rhythms to potentially reduce obesity risks and shorten hospital stays. Aspiring researchers can find inspiration in her path, with opportunities in research jobs at New Zealand universities.

New Zealand's Neonatal Challenges and Preterm Statistics

New Zealand faces a preterm birth rate of approximately 7.9%, affecting thousands of infants annually who require NICU care. Very preterm babies (<32 weeks) represent a growing cohort due to medical advances, yet they face heightened risks of complications like necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), infections, and neurodevelopmental delays. Surgical NEC rates in neonatal networks hover around 4.1%.

Equity issues compound these challenges, with Māori and Pacific whānau experiencing disparities in breastfeeding support. National exclusive breastfeeding at six weeks is around 68%, dropping sharply, but NICU data remains elusive.

Proven Benefits of Human Milk for Preterm Infants

Human milk dramatically lowers NEC risk—up to 50% reduction with exclusive use—while cutting infections, mortality, and hospital stays. It promotes gut maturation, enhances immunity via bioactive factors, and supports long-term cognitive outcomes.

• Reduces NEC incidence by compensating for immature gut defenses.
• Improves neurodevelopment through optimal nutrition.
• Shortens NICU length of stay, easing family burdens.
• Lowers late-onset sepsis and retinopathy of prematurity risks.

In one NZ study, exclusive breast milk feeding in NICU rose from 27% to 72% post-intervention.

Barriers to Human Milk in NZ NICUs

Despite evidence, structural hurdles persist: inconsistent IBCLC access, variable donor milk availability, inadequate pumping facilities, and workforce shortages. Dr. Jin notes blaming mothers ignores these systemic flaws. With only five human milk banks serving 5 million people, distribution gaps affect rural and equity-deserving communities.

Formal/informal donations occur, but pasteurisation standards and consent delays hinder timely PDHM use.Massey's consent guideline project aims to fix this.

Donor Human Milk Banks: A Lifeline in New Zealand

New Zealand's five milk banks process thousands of litres annually, prioritising preterm infants. Whāngai Ora and others follow strict screening, with 86% of facilities using DHM but only 20% via banks. Dr. Jin's time-matched DHM innovation could enhance benefits by preserving circadian components.

For more on health sciences careers, check clinical research jobs.

Implementing Prof. Diane Spatz's 10-Step Model

Visiting Massey, Prof. Spatz shared her globally proven 10-Step Model for vulnerable infants:

1. Informed decision-making
2. Establishment and maintenance of milk supply
3. Breast milk management
4. Feeding of breast milk
5. Skin-to-skin care
6. Nonnutritive sucking at the breast
7. Transition to breast
8. Measuring milk transfer
9. Preparation for discharge
10. Appropriate follow-up

Adapted worldwide, it reduces variation and boosts outcomes. Her March 4 lecture at Massey advances this for Aotearoa.Register here.

Innovative Massey Projects Paving the Way

Beyond mapping, Dr. Jin's HRC-funded work includes validating PDHM consent processes and trialling time-matched DHM to mimic natural rhythms, potentially averting sleep issues and obesity. These low-cost innovations could shorten NICU stays and enhance equity.

Policy Implications and Stakeholder Perspectives

Baseline data will inform workforce planning, funding, and equity interventions. Stakeholders—from lactation experts to policymakers—advocate systemic reform. Māori health leaders emphasise whānau-centred care, aligning with Te Tiriti principles.

Explore university roles in university jobs or academic CV tips.

Photo by Leonie Clough on Unsplash

Future Outlook: Towards Equitable Neonatal Nutrition

Massey's efforts signal a brighter future: national standards, expanded milk banks, and integrated models like Spatz's. With preterm survival rising, prioritising human milk could save lives and reduce long-term costs. Health professionals and researchers are key—consider research assistant jobs to contribute.

Parents can advocate via NZ education resources. Share experiences on Rate My Professor.