Preterm babies, or “preemies,” who often have problems with breathing, swallowing or sucking—or doing all three at the same time—rely on the milk their mothers pump for them. For these newborns, the nutrients in human milk are easier on their digestive systems, but not just any human milk will do. The milk that comes from each baby’s own mother contains special properties that help fight infections.
“The beauty of mother’s milk is it provides a specific protection from infection because the mom is in the same environment as the baby and builds immunity that is passed along to her baby,” explains Nancy Hurst, R.N., director of Texas Children’s Hospital Lactation Program and Milk Bank and assistant professor of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine. “When faced with
bacteria, the mother’s antibodies are excreted into her milk and then passed into the baby’s stomach so he or she can benefit from specific antibodies.”
Studies show that preemies fed mother’s own milk have fewer cases of sepsis, an infection in the blood stream, and of necrotizing enterocolitis, an inflammatory disease of the intestines. As a result they tend to be discharged from the hospital sooner.
Research also shows that the fat in mother’s milk, known as omega 3 fatty acids, besides providing calories for growth, provides nerve growth for brain development. Some studies show higher IQ scores among children who were born prematurely but fed only mother’s milk.
According to Hurst, mother’s milk also affects taste. “New research suggests that babies who are exposed to various flavors in the mother’s diet are more open to trying different foods when they’re older,” says Hurst. “With formula, babies get the same taste all the time.”
Preemies benefit from this taste experience by being placed at their mother’s breast while still in neonatal intensive care. These “skin-to-skin” sessions allow the baby to taste the milk and begin to practice sucking and swallowing. For the mother, holding her newborn against her skin causes the release of oxytocin (OT) in her brain. This hormone increases nurturing feelings, creates a sedative effect, and stimulates milk production. While touching forms the bonds that last a lifetime, it also fosters the health that brings long life.
To encourage moms to participate in their hospitalized babies’ nutrition, Texas Children’s Hospital Lactation Program includes one of the nation’s first mother’s own milk banks: a state-of-the-art center that stores and prepares mother’s milk for infants in Texas Children’s Newborn Center®.
The program also handles more than 1,000 phone calls each year from mothers in the community who have questions about breastfeeding, mother’s milk, medications and more.
