Re: Does my preemie need to take in more food than a full-term baby?
Yes, most premature babies need more calories per body weight than term babies. It takes a lot of energy to grow outside of the uterus, repair lung damage, fight infections, and cope with illness. Still, how long a premature baby will actually need extra calories for depends on their health, plus any medical challenges and how well they are growing.
Dr. Jennifer Gunter | November 07 , 2010 2:29 PM