The Government of India has launched Comprehensive Lactation Management Centres (CLMC) to enhance the care of sick, preterm, and low birth weight babies in intensive care units. These centers are designed to ensure that newborns in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) and Special Newborn Care Units (SNCUs) have access to safe, pasteurized donor human milk and effective lactation management.

Breast milk is crucial for newborns, providing essential nutrients necessary for growth and development while offering protection against illnesses such as pneumonia and diarrhea, as well as chronic conditions like asthma, allergies, childhood obesity, diabetes, and heart disease later in life.

For sick newborns, particularly those in intensive care, breast milk is a lifeline, aiding in early initiation and exclusive feeding, which can prevent complications associated with prematurity, including late-onset sepsis, broncho-pulmonary dysplasia, necrotizing enterocolitis, and retinopathy.

The establishment of these centres is a significant step towards ensuring that all newborns, especially those in critical condition, receive the benefits of breast milk. According to reports from States and Union Territories for the fiscal year 2023-24, there are currently 52 Comprehensive Lactation Management Centres and 50 Lactation Management Units operational across the country. These facilities play a vital role in supporting the health and well-being of newborns by providing access to both donor milk and resources for expressing mothers' own milk.