Today's chat is extra special because we're diving into the tiny yet mighty world of premature infant nutrition. You know, those little warriors who steal our hearts and ignite our passion for giving them the healthiest start possible.

We've got a rockstar guest in the house – Lauren Seaman, a registered dietitian and preemie mama herself. Together, we're unpacking the nitty-gritty of neonatal nutrition, blending professional wisdom with real-life experiences.

Key Takeaways:

1. Feeding Challenges: Explore the unique challenges premature infants face, such as oral aversions and a higher risk of aspiration. Gain insights into recognizing readiness cues and ensuring safe feeding practices.
2. Premature Formula 101: Uncover the significance of specialized premature formulas like Neosure and Enfacare, designed to support preterm infants' nutritional needs. Get guidance on when and how to transition to regular formulas if needed.
3. Introduction to Solids: Navigate the complexities of introducing solids to preemies, considering their individual developmental milestones. Learn why a combination of purees and baby-led weaning might be beneficial.
4. Common Pitfalls to Avoid: Hear expert advice on steering clear of outdated practices, such as starting solids too early, introducing one food at a time, and weaning too quickly.
5. Understanding Corrected Age: Learn the importance of corrected age in assessing premature infants' developmental readiness for solid foods. Discover how to calculate adjusted age and why it's crucial for tailoring nutritional guidance.

For clinicians and families passionate about providing the best care for premature infants, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge, blending professional expertise with personal experience to create a valuable resource on nutrition in the neonatal journey. I know you'll find something you can walk away with today that will improve the health of your patients! If you have a colleague or friend who struggles with knowing how to discuss nutrition or weight with their patients, and you think they might benefit from my podcast, I would love if you could share this episode with them. My goal is to help as many clinicians as possible realize that nutrition matters and it is possible to educate our patients toward a healthy lifestyle, despite all the barriers we face.

Connect with us on Instagram! ============================= 

Exam Room Nutrition IG: ➡︎examroomnutrition
Lauren IG: ➡︎ @preemie.nutrition.mama

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Disclaimer: This podcast is a collection of ideas, strategies, and opinions of the author(s). Its goal is to provide useful information on each of the topics shared within. It is not intended to provide medical, health, or professional consultation or to diagnosis-specific weight or feeding challenges. The author(s) advises the reader to always consult with appropriate health, medical, and professional consultants for support for individual children and family situations. The author(s) do not take responsibility for the personal or other risks, loss, or liability incurred as a direct or indirect consequence of the application or use of information provided. All opinions stated in this podcast are my own and do not reflect the opinions of my employer.