Adding a multi-nutrient supplement to breast milk may improve the nutrient intake and growth of a premature infant. Breast-feeding is the best possible way to nourish infants. But newborns who are very premature or underweight begin life at a disadvantage because their nutrient reserves are lower than normal. While still in the hospital, these infants often have extra nutrients added to their breast milk. To determine whether or not mixing a multi-nutrient fortifier to breast milk helps, Canadian researchers studied 39 infants born underweight. It was found that babies who were fed breast milk fortified with vitamins, minerals and other nutrients generally showed better growth than those given breast milk alone. After 12 weeks, infants on fortified breast milk were longer, on average, and had a larger head circumference. What's more, although the measure required mothers to use a breast pump, and mix half their milk with the powdered supplement, it did not seem to interfere with their ability to breast-feed. At the end of the study, there was no significant difference in the percentage of breast milk received by the infants in the supplemented breast milk group and those in the unfortified breast milk group. The findings suggest the same could be done for a short time after the babies go home. In the US, the same breast-milk fortifiers used in hospitals are available for home use, though this is not common practice. The supplements are complicated to use, and parents should only do so under medical supervision. The amount of supplemental powder to be added to any one infant's breast milk must be precisely calculated to avoid unsafe levels of any nutrient. Because the powders are not sterile, parents need to learn how to prepare the feedings in a hygienic manner. Parents who plan to breast-feed should work with their doctor or a dietitian to develop a plan for meeting all their baby's nutritional needs. However, further long-term studies are needed to confirm whether or not using breast-milk fortifiers at home is beneficial.
Pediatrics,
April 2008