Breast milk is always the best option, whenever possible, whether your baby is born at term or prematurely. Breast milk from a mother who has given birth prematurely will be the most suitable milk for her baby. It will contain more calories, more protein, and its recognized immunological properties that protect against infections.
Breast milk is better tolerated, easier to digest, and contains everything your baby needs, such as:
- essential fatty acids for brain development;
- growth hormones and enzymes;
- antibodies that protect against many problems (necrotizing enterocolitis, pneumonia, etc.).
As long as the baby is unable to breastfeed directly from the mother’s breast, the mother is strongly encouraged to pump her milk regularly so that it can be given to her baby.
Integrating breastfeeding
Adapting to life outside the womb takes time for any baby, and even more so for a premature baby.
Even for a full-term baby, breastfeeding isn’t always easy in the first few days. You need to give yourself time, trust yourself as a mother, and also trust your baby, who is slowly learning to feed themselves.
Breastfeeding a premature baby can begin as early as the 31st week if the baby shows signs of maturity in this regard, in order to encourage a first approach and gently develop the baby’s ability to suckle directly from the breast. Using a bottle at this stage can make the transition to breastfeeding more difficult later on, causing confusion for the baby who is still learning.
It can be said that from 34 weeks onwards, the baby is usually able to breastfeed successfully. During this important transition, the time spent breastfeeding will be increased according to the baby’s tolerance, and then the amount of milk administered either by tube feeding or via a cup, beaker, or other means can be gradually and simultaneously reduced.
Weight gain
If the baby’s weight gain is slow, with significant growth retardation, or in the case of extreme prematurity, where certain elements seem difficult to address, it is important to know that breast milk can be fortified and enriched to better meet the specific needs of a very premature baby.
Resources
Remember, you will have the appropriate help from nurses or lactation consultants from the neonatal team to support you.
Prema-Québec is also a very good resource.
Enhance your reading experience:
Marie Fortier
The baby expert
Article updated: April 2025.
References:
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Société canadienne en pédiatrie. (2023). L’allaitement et le lait humain en soins intensifs néonatals : de la naissance jusqu’au congé. Repéré le 31 mars 2025 à https://cps.ca/fr/documents/position/lallaitement-et-le-lait-humain-en-soins-intensifs-neonatals-de-la-naissance-jusquau-conge
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Fondation canadienne de l’allaitement. (2009). L’allaitement du bébé prématuré. Repéré le 31 mars 2025 à https://www.canadianbreastfeedingfoundation.org/fr/articles/premature.shtml
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INSPQ. (2025). Allaiter, est-ce toujours possible? Repéré le 21 mars 2025 à https://www.inspq.qc.ca/mieux-vivre/alimentation/nourrir-bebe-sein/allaiter-est-toujours-possible
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Nourri-Source Montréal. Allaiter un bébé prématuré. Repéré le 31 mars 2025 à https://portail.nourrisourcemontreal.org/documents/download/415
