Importance of Breast Milk to Preterm Babies

Preterm labour, or called premature labour occurs before 37 weeks, these babies born before 37 weeks are called preterm babies or preemies.

Preterm babies are more prone to illness, infections, and face a higher risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) than full-term babies. Preemies, therefore, need more medical support, some might have to stay in NICU (Neonatal intensive care unit) for a while before they can return home. What can mothers do for their preterm babies to make them better? The answer is breast milk. Express breast milk for your preterm baby truly makes a difference.

Breast Milk Benefits to Preterm Babies

Preterm babies often have low birth weight, they are vulnerable, can easily get infected, and many parts of their organs are still underdeveloped. How to lower the risk of preemies getting ill and assist their physical development? Let preterm babies drink mom’s breast milk.

We all know the benefits of breast milk to babies and mothers, and how breast milk is rich in nutrients, antibodies, bacteria, and more. Breast milk is especially vital for preterm babies, the health benefits human milk brings last a lifetime!

Scientists discovered that babies who receive breast milk face a lower risk of getting NEC (necrotizing enterocolitis), an intestine infection that is common among newborns especially preterm infants. NEC is when your large intestines get inflamed and a portion of the tissue dies out, the cause of NEC is yet to be known. According to Johns Hopkins, 12% of preterm babies get NEC. The good news is, the substance in breast milk protects babies from getting NEC that easily.

Breast milk assists your babies in many ways, and the benefits it brings are irreplaceable by medicines or formula powder.

What you can do

• Learn how to hand express your milk. Your body starts producing milk halfway through the pregnancy, you have the supply, now you just need to learn to get them out. Seek support from a lactation consultant if you need it.
• Buy a breast pump. So you can switch between hand expressing and pumping.
• Get the donor’s milk. This is the second-best you can get other than your own breast milk. Consult your doctor, lactation consultant to see where you can get donor’s milk.
• Take care of yourself. You might be depressed, afraid, anxious about the situation, especially when your baby is being hospitalized in NICU. You need to take good care of yourself, talk to someone, join a support group, consult your doctor. Your mental health matters as well.