Mental Development in Pre-Term Babies

I recently read an article by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services about how breast milk positively affects pre-mature infants. A study conducted between 1999 and 2001 showed that babies who were fed breast milk while in the NICU were less likely to be re-hospitalized for respiratory infections; the number one cause for hospitalization in babies who were fed formula. Children from the NICU who were fed breast milk also scored higher on the Mental Development Index test at 30 months. Formula fed babies scored about a 76.5 while breastfed babies scored an 89.7. It has also been shown that these children are more likely to continue an education.

I think it is amazing how what a person eats the first few weeks of life can affect them for their life. This just proves that God made us the way we are for a reason and nothing man made can top it. I definitely agree with Duane Alexander in his statement that “these findings strongly suggest that, whenever possible, preterm infants should routinely be given breast milk during their stay in the intensive care unit". Not only did the breast milk given to these babies improve their physical health but also their mental health. I believe that pre-mature infants are the most fragile and vulnerable beings and they should be provided with the best health protection from the start.

http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/oct2007/nichd-01.htm

Bock, Robert. "Breast Milk Associated With Greater Mental Development in Preterm Infants, Fewer Re-hospitalizations." NIH (2007): n. pag. Web. 27 Mar 2010.