Fat in Breast Milk Benefits Preemies: Study

Research explains why breast milk benefits premature babies.

Scientists at the Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital recently found that fat in breast milk fosters growth and development in preemies. They developed a baby food product combined with human milk fat to feed preterm babies while they were treated in the neonatal intensive care units (NICU).

The new diet supplement particularly benefits babies with low birth weight weighing about 750 to 1,250 grams. They compared the effects of fat extracted from breast milk and cream supplement from pasteurized milk given along with mothers' milk. It was observed infants who received mothers' milk with human milk fat supplement gained additional calories and better growth compared to those given only breast milk.

"For premature babies who weigh less than 1,000 grammes, one of the problems is that their lungs and other organs are still developing when they are born. If the infant gains weight and increases in length at a good rate while in the NICU, this helps improve their outcomes," said Amy Hair, study author and assistant professor of pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine, reports the Business Standard.

"This is a natural way to give them fat. Previously, we would add oils or infant formula to help premature babies grow, but we can now use a natural source from donor milk," adds Hair.

The study noted drastic changes in the weight, height, lean muscle mass and bone development in babies who were fed human milk fat supplement. However, the authors warn the supplements cannot be overfed to infants as their digestive system is not equipped to tolerate high doses of milk and fat.

More information is available online in the journal of Pediatrics.