(BPT) - Every parent in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) dreams of the day they can bring their premature baby home safely. While many factors influence how long a preemie stays in the hospital, nutrition plays a bigger role than most parents realize in determining when that day arrives.
Premature babies face unique challenges. Born weeks or months before their bodies and digestive systems are fully developed, preemies need 20-40% more calories and 2-3 times more protein than full-term babies, to catch up on the growth they missed in the womb. This is why doctors often add something called a "fortifier" to mom's breastmilk or donor milk for the smallest, most fragile preemies in the NICU, to give them the extra nutrition they need to grow healthy and strong.
Understanding Your Fortifier Choices
It's important for parents to know that not all nutritional fortifiers are created equal. There are two types of fortifiers: one is cow milk-based and the other is breastmilk-based. While both are labeled "human milk fortifiers," in the U.S., only fortifiers from a company called Prolacta Bioscience are made from 100% donor breastmilk, free from cow milk and corn syrup.
This difference between cow milk and breastmilk matters, especially for the smallest preemies born weighing 2.75 pounds or less. Breastmilk contains natural antibodies and immune-boosting properties and is gentle on the immature digestive system of fragile preemies. Studies have shown fortifiers made from cow milk may increase the risk of complications, including a serious intestinal disease called necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).
Human Milk for Human Babies: Clinical Evidence Shows Real Differences
Research shows that premature babies fed breastmilk-based fortifiers, as part of an exclusive human milk-based diet, tend to have:
- Lower risk of infection (late onset sepsis) and NEC
- Less lung disease
- Reduced eye disease
- Improved long-term outcomes
- Shorter NICU stays
But it's not only research. Hospital NICUs across the country are seeing the benefits firsthand for the preemies in their care. This year alone, more than half of the Level 3 & 4 NICUs in the U.S. have used 100% breastmilk-based fortifiers for their smallest preemies. These hospitals are experiencing how the right nutrition can make the difference between a complicated NICU stay and a smoother journey home.
Advocating for Your Baby
If you have a baby in the NICU, talk to your care team about the best nutritional options for your child. The right nutritional choice can make a real difference in your preemie's short- and long-term health. You can ask for Prolacta nutritional products by name, and your hospital can order them without a contract, often for overnight delivery, even for just one baby!
When your little one is fighting to grow strong, every feeding decision matters. Educational resources are available to help support families. Don't be afraid to ask questions and advocate for the nutrition that gives your baby the best chance to thrive.
