Herts-based Human Milk Foundation appealing for more donors
An organisation has called for more people to donate breast milk as demand has increased "beyond wildest expectations"
The Human Milk Foundation, based in Harpenden in Hertfordshire, said the demand for donor milk is four times higher than before the pandemic.
Dr Natalie Shenker, from the foundation, said she believed demand had risen as the country was "undoubtedly in a baby boom".
"There are more pre-term babies being born in hospitals," she said.
"The demand from hospitals for donor milk for very sick, premature babies has increased beyond our wildest expectations."
Director of Communication for the foundation, Felicity Webster, said this is a "national talking point, something like this should already be in place just like blood banks."
She went on to say "this is a service, a national service and sometimes a life saving service and in order to remain this way we need donors and funding".
The foundation currently has more than 300 donors, but it has appealed for more to get in touch to meet increasing demand.