Breast milk is always the best choice for babies. A baby that stays in the womb until full term will receive its nutrients from the mother. However, if the baby is born earlier than expected and you do not have enough milk for the baby, it is advisable to choose formula for premature babies to support your baby's development.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) , premature babies and low birth weight babies need special formulas (enough calories and all nutritional needs) to keep pace with growth. Initially, while in the hospital, premature babies are usually placed in a cage and receive special care. Children can be fed through intravenous method or can be formula fed. After returning home, parents can continue to supplement their babies with formula milk and breast milk until their baby is fully breastfed. Breast milk provides the best nutrients for a premature baby.
When a premature baby begins to breastfeed, the doctor will give the baby a small amount of formula, the same calorie count as breast milk. If your baby gets used to it, your doctor can start breastfeeding your baby with high calorie milk to help your baby grow faster.
In the special care room for premature babies, a special formula may be used by your doctor. These products have more protein than other types of milk and are likely to be mixed together to give your baby more calories.
When a premature baby or low birth weight infant is discharged from the hospital, the baby's nutritional resources will be changed to products with higher calorie, protein, vitamin and mineral content than conventional infant formulas. Help your baby keep pace with growth.
Babies born too premature (before 32 weeks) who are breastfed may need even more calories. Therefore, you may need to add preterm infant formula to breastmilk. This is a supplement in the form of powder or liquid milk to provide more protein and calories into breast milk to help your baby get the necessary nutrients.
For more information on taking care of premature babies, please read the following References 9 notes to properly care for premature babies .
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