Energy intake and weight gain of very low birthweight babies fed raw expressed breast milk.

The energy intake and weight gain of low birthweight infants (under 1500 g) fed expressed breast milk were measured. Between the second and fourth weeks of life the mean energy intake was 577 kJ (138 kcals)/kg/day and the mean weekly increase in weight 119 g/week. Feeding energy-rich hind milk to two babies increased their energy intake but had little effect on their rate of weight gain. There appeared to be no correlation between energy intake and weight gain, probably owing to variation in the absorption of nutrients from expressed breast milk. This study forms a basis for a comparison of weight gain in babies fed alternative regimens of artificial milks.