May 1, 2026- Medela is partnering with the NEC Society in recognition of NEC Awareness Month this May to raise awareness of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) – one of the leading causes of death in premature infants – and to support critical research, education, and advocacy efforts.
NEC Awareness Month is a global movement to spotlight one of the leading causes of mortality in premature infants and the urgent need for more research. Despite advances in neonatal care, NEC continues to disproportionately impact the most vulnerable infants in the NICU.
Research shows that a mother’s own milk can reduce the risk of NEC by 58%, underscoring the vital role of human milk in protecting infant health. Building on this evidence, Medela is committed to advancing research on human milk and better understanding the unique nutritional needs of this vulnerable population.