My ds is about to start on another round of banked milk due to failure to thrive associated with an intestinal defect. He first started on banked milk at around 3 months of age to suppliment my dramatic declice in supply and by 6 months he was getting everything from the bank...in a bottle. At around 12 months of age he was 'weaned' and ate a normal diet with some restrictions.

Now at 28 months of age, he is now once again FTT. The pediatrician wrote him out a new prescription just yesterday for banked milk.

I never thought about it before, but what is the nutritional value of banked milk that has been processed and pasturized? I don't doubt it's amazing qualities, just a question that was asked by a well meaning neighbor (who against the grain, breastfed her babies back when that wasn't the thing to do).

We all know breast is best. But how much difference in fresh breast vs. banked breastmilk?

I don't know if pasteurization has any effect on the nutritional value, but it would kill the antibodies in the milk, since they are living cells. It is probably still more digestible than other foods. I think it's wonderful that your ped is aware enough of the magic of breastmilk to prescible it for a 2 year old. I hope it works.