Hey mama, you?ve likely heard that the very best food for your newborn or growing baby is your breastmilk. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that all infants receive only human milk for approximately six months after birth because of its many amazing benefits.
If you have a baby who is critically ill or needs to remain in the hospital?in the neonatal intensive care unit?your baby will have unique nutrition needs and your breastmilk is their best food.
How Human Milk Nourishes Your Baby
Babies born before 37 weeks who are fed human milk may experience several health benefits. Increasing the amount of mother?s own milk (MOM) in your baby?s diet is associated with better feeding with no complications, earlier full feedings, reduced days on nutrition through an IV, and a reduced need for an IV line. In addition, human milk (not refrigerated or frozen) given at least once a day within four hours of being expressed helps your baby mature so they can take in more milk in one feeding. It?s important to keep in mind that when MOM isn?t available, donor human milk (DHM) is better than infant formula. As your preterm baby begins to learn their five senses, the ability to smell human milk during feedings increases how well they can suck on their fingers or toys.
Reduce Abdominal Infections
In infants born preterm, MOM is protective against the development of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and severe NEC that requires surgery. NEC is a serious and common dis...