‘I wish I'd had the option’: Views about donor human milk among parents with babies born moderate-late preterm

When enough mother's own milk is not available, the benefits of pasteurised donor human milk (donor milk) are well-established for infants born very preterm (<32 weeks' gestation). Infants born moderate-to-late preterm (32–36 weeks' gestation) make up the majority of preterm births and frequently face challenges establishing breastfeeding, often necessitating the use of supplementary nutrition in the first weeks of life. While varied, the most common practice in Australia and New Zealand is to give infant formula. In other countries, particularly the USA, donor milk is used for some moderate to late preterm and term infants, but little evidence exists to inform care practices in these groups. Parental interest is likely one force driving practice change in donor milk use, however, little is known about Australian parents' views about donor milk.