For decades, doctors have hesitated to feed premature babies milk in the first days after birth, fearing it could increase the risk of serious gut complications. But new research from the University of Nottingham suggests that early milk feeding is not only safe for many preterm infants, it could also reduce painful medical procedures and shorten intensive care stays.
The large clinical trial, called FEED1, involved more than 2,000 babies born between 30 and 32 weeks of pregnancy at 46 hospitals across the UK. Researchers found that babies who received milk through a feeding tube from their first day of life did just as well as those who received gradual milk feeds and intravenous nutrition.
“The FEED1 trial answers important questions for the care of preterm babies,” said Professor Shalini Ojha, lead investigator and Professor of Neonatal Medicine at the University of Nottingham. “The results mean babies born eight to 10 weeks early can be milk fed from the start, will not need intravenous nutrition and will likely spend less time in intensive care. They can be cared for in special care where families can be more involved and supported to establish breastfeeding.”
Feeding premature babies with milk has long been approached cautiously due to concerns about necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a rare but serious intestinal disease. However, growing evidence, including the FEED1 results, shows that babies who are not critically ill can safely tolerate full milk feeds from the start.
Although the average hospital stay was similar for both groups (about 30 to 35 days), babies given full milk feeds needed fewer medical interventions and less time in intensive care. Crucially, there was no increased risk of NEC, infection or low blood sugar.
Bliss, the UK’s leading charity for babies born premature or sick, supported the study, which was published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health.
“These important findings have shown that babies can receive full milk feeds safely, without any compromise to their health while on the neonatal unit,” said Josie Anderson, Policy, Research and Campaigns Manager at Bliss. “We believe these findings will help improve clinical practice for babies born from 30 weeks, ensuring they can receive the best possible care and benefit from having fewer painful procedures.”
The trial’s findings could help reshape neonatal nutrition guidelines, supporting earlier milk feeding as a safe, effective option for moderately preterm babies and their families.
The FEED1 trial was funded by the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Research and supported by Bliss, the charity for babies born premature or sick.