Breast Milk Donation in the Muslim Population: Why It Is Possible

Abstract

Some mothers have negative ideas about human milk donation, especially in the Muslim population, because of the «milk brother-sister» concept, whereas infants are often in need of human milk. A mother delivered a very low birth-weight infant of 500 g after 26 weeks of amenorrhea. She was able to collect 200 mL of milk per day by four days after birth, 500ml/day after seven, and then up to 1.5 L/day. At the end of the hospitalization, the milk bank asked her if she was willing to donate her milk. She first refused to offer her milk for donation because of the «brother milk» concept. After discussion, the milk-bank team managed to convince the mother to donate the 179 Liters of milk not used by her baby. The two issues that may arise for a Muslim are whether they allowed to donate their own milk and whether their infant can receive donated milk. These issues were addressed by: i) performing a literature review covering all points of view of the religion concerning human milk donation, ii) seeking the expertise of religious figures, and iii) examining biological and genetic issues. Thus, religious, cultural, biological, and epigenetic aspects all support milk donation by Muslim mothers to milk banks and allow children to receive donated milk. Milk banks should be created in Muslim countries to promote the health of pre-term infants.