We promote breastfeeding and providing breast milk in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Our Neonatalogy Division Chief today spoke to the media about the importance of a mothers milk, and used Maverick Gruich as an example of a baby who was born with a dangerously low birth weight but is now doing well because he has been fed his mothers milk. #WorldBreastfeedingWeek Breastfeeding benefits all babies, though it is particularly important for our extremely low birth weight infants. These infants have multiple challenges, and breastmilk gives them a chance at the best possible outcome. These infants are especially vulnerable to infection, and breastmilk gives them protection even medicine can’t provide. These infants are also at risk for a serious and potentially life-threatening condition in the infants gastrointestinal system. Necrotizing enterocolitis happens when tissue of the small or large intestine is injured. This injury can cause the intestine to become inflamed or, in rare cases, develop a perforation. Infants that are fed exclusively breastmilk can have up to a 77 percent reduction of developing this condition. Premature babies enjoy long-term benefits from breastmilk, including higher scores on IQ tests and fewer readmissions to the hospital. Learn more about World Breastfeeding Week: waba.org.my
Posted on: Thu, 07 Aug 2014 22:40:01 +0000