Exclusive Breast Feeding in Low Birth Weight Babies

Area of Science:

• Neonatal Nutrition
• Pediatric Growth and Development

Background:

• Human milk is optimal for term neonates, but its use in preterm and low birth weight infants is debated.
• Existing data supports human milk for low birth weight infants.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the growth of preterm and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants exclusively breastfed from birth to four months.
• To compare growth parameters against standard fetal-infant growth norms.

Main Methods:

• Prospective, longitudinal study in a baby-friendly hospital promoting exclusive breastfeeding.
• Included consecutive low birth weight neonates (preterm and term SGA) over two years.
• Monitored weight, length, and head circumference weekly until four months of age.

Main Results:

• Exclusively breastfed low birth weight infants (preterm and term SGA) showed weight gain comparable to standard growth norms.
• Length and head circumference increases in these infants also aligned closely with standard fetal-infant growth benchmarks.

Conclusions:

• Exclusive breastfeeding by mothers ensures adequate growth for low birth weight infants, including premature babies.
• Human milk is a viable and effective nutrition source for promoting healthy development in vulnerable neonates.