Australian researchers will test whether donated breastmilk can reduce feeding intolerance and help the transition to breastfeeding among preterm babies born 4-6 weeks early.

From next month, the GIFT trial will begin recruiting around 2100 moderate-late preterm infants across five hospitals in SA, NSW and Queensland to compare pasteurised donor milk with formula milk.

Lead investigator Professor Alice Rumbold, from the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, said infants born at 32-36 weeks’ gestation had been “overlooked” for donor breastmilk compared with those born before 32 weeks.

“There isn’t a lot of evidence to know whether babies that are born just a few weeks early should be given donor milk as well,” the perinatal epidemiologist told AusDoc.