Carbohydrate supplementation of human milk to promote growth in preterm infants

No evidence to show the effect of adding carbohydrate to breast milk to promote growth in babies born preterm. Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for full-term babies for at least the first six months of life. Babies born preterm (before 37 weeks) have different nutritional needs and it is possible that premature breast milk may not meet all these needs. Adding carbohydrate to breast milk may help. It may help gain weight, without the problems that can come from protein supplements (see Cochrane review on protein supplements). However carbohydrate supplements may cause diarrhea and feeding problems. There have been no published trials evaluating the effect of adding carbohydrate to breast milk to promote growth in preterm babies. More research is needed.