SOURCE: AWHONN. 2021. Breastfeeding and the use of human milk. Nursing for Women’s Health, 25, 5, E4-E8. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nwh.2021.06.005

POSITION: The Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) maintains that breastfeeding and the provision of expressed human milk are critical components to ensure the health and well-being of newborns, young children, and childbearing women. If a mother’s own milk is not available, pasteurized donor human milk is the preferred substitute and should be offered when available and medically appropriate before supplementation with infant formula.