Written By: Debjani Arora | Published : April 13, 2016 3:59 PM IST
Premature babies need more care and attention. In fact, the right kind of nutrition is even important for these little ones as it helps their underdeveloped systems to strengthen and develop. So when it comes to nutrition, there can be nothing better than mother s milk for premature babies. Breast milk is crucial for a preemie baby s development and well-being. However, there is a catch, babies born before 32 weeks aren t good at developing suckling reflex. So even if breastfeeding is a good option for them, they might not be able to latch on and feed to satisfy their hunger and gain nutrition.
However, that doesn t mean that they should not have breast milk. In fact, mothers who deliver premature babies are encouraged to express breast milk as they also start lactating. Since the baby cannot suckle at the breast, it is best to feed the baby expressed milk with a feeder or a spoon. If the mother is not able to express milk due to a medical reason, then it is better to feed donor breast milk from a milk bank, said Dr Anjila Aneja Director, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Fortis La Femme during the LactoClave 2016.
It takes time for a premature baby to get on with latching and start suckling from the breast directly. Moreover, with preemie babies, it is not just about latching; they also need to suck and swallow. And most premature babies do not develop on the suckling reflex early. This is why it is important to feed them expressed milk for its nutritional value either by a feeder or through special bottles. Remember, formula milk should not be an option for these tiny ones as their system isn t mature enough to digest that.
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