A recent research study on premature babies underlines the importance of breastfeeding, even in neonatal intensive care scenarios.1 Premature babies were shown to have better brain development when fed breast milk rather than formula during their hospital stays. Helping facilitate mothers to provide breast milk in subsequent weeks after birth could improve long-term health of prematurely born children.
Previous studies have shown that pre-term birth is associated with alterations in white matter
Premature birth is associated with an increased risk of neurological problems, including problems learning and thinking skills later in life. This link is thought to be due to dysfunctions in brain development early in life. Previous studies have shown that pre-term birth is associated with alterations in white matter, which is an aspect of the brain’s structure which allows neurons to communicate with one another.
Research study looked at brain scans from 47 premature babies
The research study looked at brain scans from 47 premature babies (all had been born before 33 weeks gestation). Scans were taken when then reached term-equivalent age – average of 40 weeks after conception. Information was also gathered about what the infants had been fed while in intensive care – either formula or breast milk from mother or a donor.
Babies receiving breast milk for at least 75 percent of the time they were in the hospital showed improved neural connectivity
It was seen that babies receiving breast milk for at least 75 percent of the time they were in the hospital showed improved neural connectivity compared with formula fed babies. And the effects were greatest in babies who were fed breast milk for the greatest proportion of their stay at the hospital.
The findings
Professor James Boardman, Director of the Jennifer Brown Research Laboratory at the University of Edinburgh, said: “Our findings suggest that brain development in the weeks after preterm birth is improved in babies who receive greater amounts of breast milk. He also commented, “[m]others of pre-term babies should be supported to provide breast milk while their baby is in neonatal care – if they are able to and if their baby is well enough to receive milk – because this may give their children the best chance of healthy brain development.”
Source:
- Blesa M, Sullivan G, Anblagan D, et al. Early breast milk exposure modifies brain connectivity in preterm infants. Neuroimage. 2018
Razi Berry is the founder and publisher of the journal Naturopathic Doctor News & Review that has been in print since 2005 and the premier consumer-faced website of naturopathic medicine, NaturalPath. She is the host of The Natural Cancer Prevention Summit and The Heart Revolution-Heal, Empower and Follow Your Heart, and the popular 10 week Sugar Free Summer program. From a near death experience as a young girl that healed her failing heart, to later overcoming infertility and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia through naturopathic medicine, Razi has lived the mind/body healing paradigm. Her projects uniquely capture the tradition and philosophy of naturopathy: The healing power of nature, the vital life force in every living thing and the undeniable role that science and mind/body medicine have in creating health and overcoming dis-ease. Follow Razi on Facebook at Razi Berry and join us at Love is Medicine to explore the convergence of love and health.
