For use as a breast milk substitute in preterm infants being discharged home. For breastfed preterm infants; supplementing with feedings of prepared post-discharge formula is recommended as a strategy for meeting additional nutrient requirements.1 Term infant formula (such as Similac Pro-Advance®) can be introduced at the discretion of the health care professional; once the baby has achieved adequate catch-up growth. Some recommendations include: the use of a post-discharge formula should be “individualized to optimize the growth trajectory of the infant over the first year.”1; use from 40 to 52 weeks post-conception 2; stopping at 4 to 6 months corrected age if all growth parameters are >25th percentile.3 For oral or tube feeding use. Use under medical supervision.
- 1 American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Nutrition. Nutritional Needs of the Preterm Infant. In: Kleinman RE, Greer FR, eds. Pediatric Nutrition. 7th ed. Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics; 2014:109-11.
- 2 ESPGHAN Committee on Nutrition. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2006;42:596-603.
- 3 Bhatia J. J Perinatol. 2005;25(suppl 2):S15-6.