Beyond Allergies: Why Scientists Are Studying Donkey Milk for Preterm Infants

What is the true test of a gentle, natural ingredient? It’s how it performs under the most demanding circumstances. A groundbreaking clinical trial has done just that, studying donkey milk in the context of the most delicate users imaginable: preterm infants. The findings not only have implications for neonatal nutrition but also reveal why donkey milk is so uniquely compatible with the human body.

The Challenge of Nourishing Preterm Infants

For preterm infants, proper nutrition is critical for growth and development. While human milk is the gold standard of nutrition for every newborn, it can be insufficient in protein and minerals to meet the high demands of a rapidly growing preterm baby.

To solve this, doctors add a "human milk fortifier" to breast milk to provide the extra nutrients needed. For years, these fortifiers have been made from bovine (cow's) milk. But scientists wanted to know: could there be a gentler, more effective alternative?

A Groundbreaking Study: Donkey Milk vs. Cow Milk

In a clinical trial conducted in Italy, researchers compared two groups of preterm infants. Both groups were fed human milk, but one group received a standard cow's milk-based fortifier, while the other received a new, experimental fortifier made from donkey milk.

Crucially, both diets were designed to have the exact same amount of protein and calories. This meant any differences in the babies' outcomes would likely be due to the source of the nutrients—donkey versus cow.

The Key Finding: A Matter of Tolerance

The results were significant. The group of infants receiving the donkey milk-based fortifier showed remarkably fewer signs of feeding intolerance.

Specifically, the donkey milk group experienced:

• Fewer feeding interruptions.
• Less vomiting and fewer gastric residuals (undigested milk in the stomach).
• They were able to reach full enteral feeding two days earlier than the cow's milk group.

In simple terms, the nutrition from donkey milk was significantly easier for the infants’ delicate and immature digestive systems to handle. This suggests its protein structure and overall composition are exceptionally gentle and biocompatible.

Conclusion: The Ultimate Proof of Gentleness

This powerful research elevates donkey milk beyond just a traditional remedy or a simple alternative for those with allergies. It provides strong clinical evidence for its inherent gentleness and compatibility with the most sensitive human systems.

The very same properties that make donkey milk a well-tolerated source of nutrition for fragile infants are what make it an ideal choice for anyone with sensitive skin. This study confirms that its soothing, non-irritating nature is backed by science, making it a trustworthy ingredient for your daily wellness and skincare routine.