Preterm infants, like full term infants, have very specific nutritional requirements. Though eventually a healthy preterm infant will become an older baby who can eat a larger variety of foods -- generally this happens around six months to a year of age -- early on, human milk is a superior food, and pure bovine milk is dangerous.
Preterm Infants
All babies have immature digestive systems, which is one of the reasons they have to eat such a specific diet. In preterm infants, the immaturity of the gastrointestinal tract is particularly pronounced, meaning that it can take longer than it does with a full term infant to get preterm infants to the point that they're ready to try solids. For the first six months to a year of life, preterm infants shouldn't be exposed to anything other than human milk or infant-specific formula.
Human Milk
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, breast milk is the best food for babies -- both full term and preterm. This is because human breast milk contains an ideal mixture of macronutrients -- protein, carbohydrate, and fat -- plus the vitamins and minerals that babies need to help them develop and thrive. Further, breast milk changes as your infant develops. It starts out high in protein and easy to digest, and becomes gradually higher in calories.
Bovine Milk
If you're not able to feed your preterm infant human breast milk, the alternative is an infant-specific formula, which may be either soy- or bovine milk-based. It's important to distinguish, however, between bovine milk-based formula and bovine milk: while the formula is safe and healthy for infants, pure cow's milk is neither nutritious nor safe for babies. It doesn't contain the mixture of nutrients a baby needs, and further, it can lead to adverse reactions because of the baby's digestive immaturity.
Considerations
Once you've started to introduce your preterm infant to solid foods, which is a decision you should discuss the timing of with your pediatrician, you may wish to introduce bovine milk. However, most pediatricians recommend waiting until at least one year of age. This allows the digestive tract additional time to mature. It also helps reduce the risk of allergies, as cow's milk is one of the most common allergens for young children.
References
- "Eat, Sleep, Poop"; Scott Cohen, M.D.; 2010
- American Academy of Pediatrics: Breast Milk
- "What to Expect When You're Expecting"; Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel; 2008
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