Nutrition Considerations After NICU Discharge.

Preterm infants are at high nutrition risk during neonatal intensive care and well after discharge. Nutrition care should be individualized and provided by a multidisciplinary team including a dietitian. Breast milk, the gold standard for feeding, may not meet the increased needs of preterm infants and may require fortification or supplementation. Decisions regarding formula choice and calorie concentration can also be challenging and require individualization based on growth, intake, and individual need. Developmental milestones should be considered during the initation of complementary food. This article presents new research on allergenic food introduction to guide practitioners during caregiver education. Finally, an evidence-based weaning practice for enteral feeding-dependent patients is provided with suggestions for outpatient applicability. [Pediatr Ann. 2018;47(4):e154-e158.].