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How Should I Feed My Premature Baby?

Many babies born preterm need to develop certain skills before they can eat by mouth. For example, they have to be able to suck, swallow and breathe all at once!

Preterm babies also have special nutritional needs. The breast milk or formula you feed them may need to be fortified with extra calories to help them grow.

Feeding your premature baby can be challenging, so seek support from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) staff, and from family and friends once you and your baby go home. Watch this video to learn more.



More information

Last Updated
1/25/2023
Source
American Academy of Pediatrics, Boston Medical Center and W.K. Kellogg Foundation (Copyright © 2022)
The information contained on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.
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