5th International Donor Milk Research Congress: Save the Date and Abstract Submission
5th International Donor Milk Research Congress | Milan | September 25th, 2026
Join EMBA for the gathering dedicated to advancing donor milk research and practice. This congress brings together researchers, clinicians, and milk banking professionals from around the world to share the latest scientific findings and innovations in the field.
September 25th, 2026 • Milan, Italy
The European Milk Banking Association (EMBA) is proud to announce the 5th International Donor Milk Research Congress, taking place in the beautiful city of Milan, Italy on September 25th, 2026.
About the Congress
Join us for this premier international gathering dedicated to advancing donor milk research and milk banking practices worldwide. This congress brings together researchers, clinicians, milk bank professionals, policymakers, and advocates to share the latest scientific findings, clinical innovations, and best practices in donor human milk.
The programme will include:
* Key updates from the EU-funded IMAGINE-HMB project
* Presentations highlighting recent advances in donor human milk research
* 12 short oral presentations selected through an open call
Abstract submissions are now open, and we warmly encourage members to submit their work and to share this opportunity within their professional networks.
Submission deadline: 30 June 2026
Application link: https://biomedia.net/16286/
Registration fees:
EMBA members € 30,00
Non members € 60,00
Why Attend?
Cutting-Edge Research: Discover the latest scientific developments in donor milk composition, processing, and clinical applications
Global Networking: Connect with leading experts and professionals from milk banks across Europe and around the world
Knowledge Exchange: Share experiences, challenges, and solutions with colleagues working to improve access to safe donor milk
Clinical Excellence: Learn about innovative approaches to milk banking operations and quality assurance
Policy & Advocacy: Engage in discussions about expanding donor milk access and strengthening milk banking infrastructure
Who Should Attend?
Neonatologists and pediatricians
Milk bank directors and coordinators
Lactation consultants and specialists
Researchers in human milk science
Hospital administrators
Public health professionals
Parent advocates and support organizations
Stay Connected
More information about registration, abstract submission, accommodation, and the scientific program will be announced soon.
Follow our updates and join us in Milan for this landmark event in donor milk research!
EMBA – Medela Webinar: More human milk in the Neonatal Unit – yes, but how?
The European Milk Bank Association (EMBA) has partnered with Medela to host a pivotal webinar titled "More Human Milk in the Neonatal Unit – Yes, but How?". This session aims to address the increasing need for donor human milk in neonatal units, particularly for premature and vulnerable infants.
More human milk in the Neonatal Unit – yes, but how? Leadership aspects in driving practice change
Thursday, 27 June 2024, 3pm – 4:40 pm (CEST)
Introduction to the topic
Exclusive human milk feeding should be a priority when it comes to protecting, promoting, and supporting breastfeeding for all infants. To achieve this goal, European neonatal units are creating supportive environments and are adapting their clinical practice to meet the specific needs of the “mother-milk-infant triad” and improve access to human milk and exclusive breastfeeding.
Inspired by their clinician-led initiatives in Germany and Spain and by the discussion held during the Medela Breastfeeding and Lactation Symposium in 2023, the invited speakers for this webinar will share the advantages of opening a donor milk bank using an integrated approach (i.e. ensuring improved breastfeeding and lactation support in parallel). The attendees will also get insights about a national pilot plan to assess the status quo of preterm infants´ human milk feeding in a cluster of hospitals.
Join passionate leaders Sven Wellmann and Miguel Sáenz de Pipaón in this webinar session to learn first-hand from their experiences about best practices for more human milk in the neonatal unit. The discussion panel will be moderated by EMBA president Prof. Sertac Arslanoglu, who will enrich the discussion with her own experience on a neonatal unit.
Register now to secure your spot!
Learning objectives:
Overview of practical solutions to increase human milk feeding in the neonatal unit, with a more in depth review of the Spanish experiences.
Examples of practices that can lead to increase the availability of Donor Human Milk and Mother´s Own Milk in late preterm infants, including leadership aspects of driving practice change.
Event details
Date 27. June 2024
Duration 1:40 hour
Language English
Time 3pm – 4:40 pm (CEST)
Click here to register for the webinar.
This webinar is free of charge.
Presenters
Lactation and breastfeeding in late preterm infants: a quality improvement initiative
Prof. Sven Wellmann, MD, MBA
Head of the Department of Neonatology, University Perinatal Centre Regensburg, Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, Germany
Prof. Sven Wellmann is trained in Pediatrics and Neonatal Medicine. He worked at the university hospitals in Berlin (Germany), Basel and Zurich (Switzerland). He established recently a donor milk bank at his hospital in Regensburg and initiated a quality improvement initiative for specialised breastfeeding and lactation support in late preterm infants. His research focus is on the first 1000 days of life, with main research areas in foetal and neonatal stress response and neuroprotection. He is the founding director of the European School of Neonatology (ESN).
Practical solutions to overcome barriers to increase human milk feeding in the neonatal unit
Prof. Miguel Sáenz de Pipaón
Neonatology Service, La Paz Hospital-Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid
Miguel Sáenz de Pipaón Marcos is physician of the Neonatology Department of Hospital La Paz, Professor of the Department of Pediatrics of the Autonomous University of Madrid and Coordinator of the Pediatric Nutrition course of the Nutrition Degree. He is also coordinator of the Gastroenterology, Nutrition and Metabolism section of the European Society for Pediatric Research. Furthermore, he is member of the Nutrition Committee of the European Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition and President of the Nutrition Committee of the Spanish Society of Neonatology. Last but not least member of the Nutrition Committee of the Spanish Pediatric Association. He is author of more than 100 publications in impact factor journals and principal investigator of several projects.
4th International Donor Milk Research Congress
After a warm welcome from EMBA President Prof. Sertac Arslanoglu, the first session began. Chaired by EMBA Vice President Clair-Yves Boquen, EMBA Working Groups shared their achievements and future plans. There was also a brief presentation on EMBA's new European project, IMAGINE.
The 4th edition of the EMBA’s International Donor Milk Research Congress has been held on 17th of June in Milan.
Following the warm welcome by the EMBA President Prof. Sertac Arslanoglu, the first Session started. In this Session chaired by the EMBA Vice President Clair-Yves Boquen, EMBA Working Groups presented their work and plans fort he future. A short presentation regarding EMBA’s new european Project- IMAGINE has been also included.
This year EMBA hosted two distinguished speakers; Stefaan Van Der Spiegel, from the DG-Sante, European Commission; and Jacinto Sanchez, from the European Directorate fort he Quality of Medicines & Healthcare (EDQM). Donor human milk is being regulated under the name of SoHO for the first time and inputs from these two lectures have been of utmost importance. While Stefaan spoke about the new legal framework with respect to donor human milk in the context of the new european reagulation on SoHO; Jacinto gave us insights why the EDQM Tissues and Cells Guide is of interest for human milk banks. The discussion following these 2 talks have been remarkably committed and fruitful.
The Research Congress continued with selected Oral Communications and Posters from France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Türkiye, United Kingdom, and United States. Human milk and its impact on neonatal morbidities, breastfeeding management in specific maternal diseases and cultural contexts, human milk composition changes by time and with different sources of fortifiers, human regulation, the methodology of the systematic reviews as aid to WHO guidelines, digitalization and softwares have been the discussed topics.
The EMBA Research Congress ended following the General Assembly.
We thank all our audience, speakers, presenters, and sponsors for their contribution. And say… “See you in Venice next year at the EMBA International Milk Banking Congress!”
“Save the date: 16-17 October 2025”.