Introduction: Emergencies can disrupt infant feeding patterns, compromising maternal-infant nutritional access. However, even in times of crisis, breast milk is the most secure source of nourishment for infants. In crises, milk banks may serve as alternative nutrition sources. This study examines policy modifications during a crisis. Methods: This case study analyzes the policies of the Ministry of Health and National Milk Bank on breast milk donation in Israel. It compares both the recipient criteria and donor criteria before and after October 7, 2023, when the war began. Results: On October 9, 2023, the Ministry of Health published an emergency “Guidelines for breast milk donations” expanding eligibility for receiving breast milk. In addition to the routine eligibility of premature infants (< 32 weeks gestation and/or < 1.5 kg), breast milk will also be available to: 1. Infants ≤6 months: maternal absence due to crisis (injury, abduction, or death) 2. Infants ≤6 months: maternal military recruitment 3. Infants 6-12 months: maternal absence/recruitment, formula intolerance (due to allergy or other) 4. War-injured infants ≤12 months: recovery requirement 5. Any medical condition requiring breast milk, such as an oncological condition, based on a document from a medical expert. Regarding the ability to donate breast milk, the only change found was the removal of the criterion for using breast pumps from certain models. Conclusion: The Israeli Ministry of Health and the National Milk Bank implemented significant policy revisions during the war’s initial phase, primarily updating and expanding the criteria for receiving breast milk to include maternal conditions and address unique wartime circumstances, while donor eligibility criteria remained largely unaltered. In light of ongoing crises and the controlled availability of breast milk, a re-evaluation of milk donation policies is necessary. Easing donor criteria could potentially extend optimal nutrition access to more infants.
Harari et al. (Sun,) studied this question.