The article was written by Smadar Konigsberg, mother of two premature babies, 34 weeks and 31+6 weeks, a Tipat Halav nurse and a certified lactation consultant.

What are the benefits of breast milk for premature babies?

Studies show that breast milk is as important for a premature baby as it is for a full-term baby.
Giving it to a premature baby is important and provides a health benefit to both your baby and you, and is sometimes even considered life-saving.
Breast milk contains important nutrients and immune factors that can make a big difference in the health, growth, and development of babies.
Mothers of premature babies in the first few weeks produce milk that is different in composition and adapted to the needs of the premature baby.

Any amount of breast milk has a positive effect on the baby.
The longer breastfeeding lasts, the longer the protection for the premature baby will last, and so will the benefits of breastfeeding.
Premature babies are prone to more infections than full-term babies.
Especially in the digestive system, breast milk is unlikely to cause infections, unlike formula milk. It will protect the baby and provide him with an immune system while his immune system is still developing.
In doing so, it helps protect against infections and diseases and reduces hospitalizations in the first year of life as a result.

So what are the benefits for the baby?

• Breast milk is easier to digest than formula, because breast milk is biologically and nutritionally adapted to your baby's body by your body according to his changing needs.
• Breast milk for premature babies contains more protein, minerals such as salts, and different types of fat that are adapted for easy absorption. It contains lipase, an enzyme that allows for more effective fat digestion.
• Breast milk protects against necrotizing enteritis - a life-threatening condition.
• Breast milk contains high concentrations of antibodies that help babies fight off pathogens. Even babies who are unable to breastfeed still benefit from breast milk's gum-cleaning "oral care" benefits that add bacteria to the baby's body.
• Breast milk contains more hormones, nutrients, and growth factors that help the baby grow and develop. Improved visual acuity, reduced occurrence and severity of retinopathy of prematurity (a retinal disease that mainly affects premature babies).
• Reduces cot deaths.
• Breast milk is always available.
• Breast milk builds a strong bond between you and your baby.
• Reduces cases of obesity in adulthood, as well as cases of diabetes, unlike formula-fed children.
• According to studies, premature babies have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases in adulthood, and breast milk has the ability to reduce them.
• Increases IQ - Studies have shown an improvement in the IQ of breastfed babies compared to those who were fed formula.

How wonderful, there are also benefits for the mother!

Benefits for a breastfeeding mother

• Breast milk is sometimes the only thing you can give your baby when he is under the care of the multidisciplinary team during hospitalization.
• It helps provide a loving bond between you. This bond will help you cope and overcome the difficulties that may arise later, thus reducing a lot of stress.
• Increases your self-confidence and helps you cope.
• Reduces breast and ovarian cancer.
• Reduces osteoporosis.
• Protects against cardiovascular diseases.
• Reduces obesity.
• Reduces postpartum bleeding.