BENEFITS OF HUMAN MILK
Premature baby has increased nutritional needs
If your baby was born early, it can be an overwhelming time for you as a parent. Premature babies, especially those weighing 1500 g or less at birth, have special nutritional needs.
Compared to term babies, premature babies need more energy to grow, as they are growing at a rapid pace, thereby needing more proteins, minerals and other nutrients.
Human Milk is the best form of nutrition
Breast milk is important for all babies, including your premature baby, and nothing else can provide the same benefits. In addition to nutrition, it supports the baby’s developing immune system and provides the baby with protection against infections.
Because of its health benefits, the American Academy of Pediatrics’ (AAP) recommends the use of human milk for all preterm infants, whether mother’s own milk or pasteurized donor human milk (when mother’s own milk is unavailable).
Contains Good Bacteria
- With over 130 oligosaccharides, prebiotics and probiotics that are specific to human milk. The good bacteria help colonize the premature baby’s gut with friendly, healthy live cells and antibodies. These antibodies help the growth of good pathogens and help to protect against severe intestinal inflammation and an infection called Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) that can be very devastating to a premature baby.
- According to studies, premature babies who are fed human milk rather than formula are twenty (20) times less likely to develop NEC.
Helps the Digestive Tract
- Human milk contains something called epidermal growth factor (EGF) which stimulates the growth of the cells that line the intestines, making them more efficient at digesting food. Because the premature infant’s intestinal lining is immature, it makes it very difficult to digest fat, which is essential for growth.
- Human milk contains an enzyme called lipase that helps break down the fat in the intestines so that it can be absorbed.
- Premature intestines also have decreased lactase, which is an enzyme that helps digest carbohydrates and sugars. Human milk contains lactase that helps aid in this digestion making it easier for the baby to absorb these vital nutrients that are needed for growth and development.
As a brain builder
- Human milk contains the perfect mix of special fats that aid in the development of the brain and the eyes.
- A brain building amino acid called taurine is found in high concentration in breast milk and helps with retinal (eye) development.
- Human milk also contains brain building polyunsaturated fatty acids called DHA and ARA. These are commonly known as the “smart fats”. These smart fats are very important for the production of myelin, which is the fatty layer that insulates the nerves. DHA and ARA help the premature baby’s brain grow as it would have in the last few important weeks of pregnancy.
Human milk and has multiple benefits that help the preterm baby not only grow and survive, but thrive. Human milk also helps reduce many other serious preterm complications and thus should be considered an essential part of neonatal care.
Be a voice for your baby
Speak with your healthcare professional about your baby’s nutritional needs and see if they believe your baby can benefit from a 100% human milk–based diet.
You can also contact us.
