Premature babies, also known as preemies, are infants born before the gestational period of 37 weeks.

These infants are extremely delicate and require special care and attention to ensure their physical and developmental progress is in sync with that of a full-term baby. Among the various measures advised by doctors and healthcare providers, breastfeeding has emerged as one of the most significant ways of promoting the well-being of premature babies. Here’s how breastfeeding fosters the growth of preemies.

1. Breast milk is easily digestible

Breast milk is easier to digest than formula, making it an ideal source of nutrition for preemies who have an underdeveloped digestive system.

The components of breast milk, such as proteins and carbohydrates, are broken down quickly, allowing babies to absorb essential nutrients without straining their digestive system.

2. Provides complete nutrition

Preemies require a high level of nutrition for healthy growth and development. Breast milk contains the right quantity of essential ingredients such as proteins, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals, which provide complete nutrition to your baby.

The nutritional value of breast milk can be critical in the case of preemies, who need roughly double the nutrients that a full-term baby requires.

3. Stimulates brain development

Brain development is essential during the first few months of the infant’s life, and breast milk plays a crucial role in that.

Studies reveal that breast milk can improve the infant’s cognitive and neurological development, which is of added significance in the case of premature babies whose brains may not be fully formed. Breast milk consists of DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid that promotes the growth of the brain.

4. Helps prevent infections

Preemies have poorly developed immune systems, which makes them more susceptible to infections and illnesses. Breast milk provides antibodies that offer protection against many infections, ranging from ear infections to gastroenteritis.

These antibodies are more abundant in breast milk than in formula, which makes breastfeeding a necessity to defend the baby against harmful pathogens.

5. Encourages better physical development

Preemies face several physical challenges such as low muscle tone, weak lungs, and weak hearts. Breast milk contains several growth hormones that promote physical development, resultantly boosting the baby’s ultimate health and well-being.

For example, breastfed preemies have shown better lung function and less muscular dystrophy than formula-fed babies.

6. Helps establish a bond between mother and baby

One of the primary benefits of breastfeeding is its ability to foster an emotional bond between the mother and her baby.

Breastfeeding preemies helps establish a strong connection between the two, as feeding time is used to exchange warmth, comfort, and love. This bond is essential to the mental and emotional growth of the infant, and it also helps reduce the mother’s stress level.

7. Eases the transition to feeding later

Preemies may face difficulties during the transition from feeding in the intensive care unit to feeding outside of it.

Breastfeeding in the hospital can help preemies get used to the transitioning process, including latching, breastfeeding frequency, feed duration, and others. Preemies who receive breast milk in the hospital are likely to fare better during the transition period and later stages of feeding when they are exclusively breastfeeding.

8. Stimulates milk production

The more you breastfeed, the more milk your body produces. Breastfeeding preemies helps stimulate milk production, allowing mothers to produce enough milk to feed their babies.

A stable milk supply is essential for preemies because they require more food and nutrients than full-term babies. Additionally, the milk produced by a mother working to feed a preemie is different from that produced for a full-term baby; it is tailored to the specific nutritional needs of the preemie.

9. Reduces the risk of SIDS

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is a leading cause of death in infants under one year of age. Breastfed preemies are less susceptible to SIDS, making it an excellent protective measure against this deadly condition.

The reasons for this are not entirely clear, but it is proposed that the warmth and comfort of nursing, the frequent nighttime feedings, and the protection breastfeeding provides against infections contribute to the reduced risk of SIDS.

10. Better long-term health outcomes

Preemies that are breastfed have significantly better long-term health outcomes than those who are formula-fed.

Breastfeeding preemies reduces the risk of infections, respiratory problems, and other health issues that can impact the infant’s overall development. Additionally, breastfed preemies have shown better cognitive, emotional, and physical development than those who received formula, indicating that breast milk can improve several aspects of long-term health outcomes.

Conclusion

Breastfeeding is essential to ensuring the proper growth and development of premature babies. It provides the complete nutrition, immunity, and hormones to foster healthy mental, emotional, and physical development.

Moreover, it fosters a sense of emotional connection and can make a beneficial step towards long-term health outcomes. For mothers of preemies, it’s important to start breastfeeding as soon as possible to give your baby the best possible chance of optimum growth at a developmental pace that is in sync with that of a full-term baby.