title: Which milk for the preterm infant?
abstract: The optimal diet for the low birthweight infant is one that supports a growth rate approximating that of the third trimester of intra-uterine life without imposing stress on the developing metabolic or excretory systems. Although preterm human milk does not meet the energy and nutrient needs of developing preterm infants, the benefits such as contributions to host defence and gastrointestinal trophic aspects, and the psychological benefits of maternal-infant bonding, make it the preferred diet.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatology, Mater Misericordiae Mothers' Hospital, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: D I
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Tudehope
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Steer
mesh_terms: D001903:Bottle Feeding; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005526:Food, Formulated; D006801:Humans; D007112:Immunity, Maternally-Acquired; D007225:Infant Food; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000523:psychology; D008895:Milk, Human; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009751:Nutritional Requirements