A new large-scale breast milk bank recently opened in Tokyo to help prematurely born babies with low birth weights. The opening comes amid growing demand and increasing awareness about the nourishment provided by breast milk, which can boost immunity.

Milk banks, where breast milk donated by registered donors is pasteurized, frozen and stored, provide milk to neonatal intensive care units (NICU) at hospitals upon request. Worldwide, there are more than 750 such banks in more than 60 countries. Donors are registered mothers who produce milk in excess of their own babies’ needs.

In Japan, around 7,000 babies weighing below 1,500 grams are born each year. An estimated 5,000 babies need donor milk because their mothers have difficulties producing breast milk.