A new study published in "The Journal of Pediatrics" found the addition of a human milk fat supplement to a premature baby's diet may help boost the baby's growth.

For premature infants who spend time in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), being able to grow adequately is a strong indicator of better health and development during their lifetime.

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A major problem for premature infants who weigh less than 1,000 grams is that their organs, such as their lungs, are not fully developed when they are born.

"If the infant gains weight and increases in length at a good rate while in the NICU, this helps improve their outcomes," added Dr Amy Hair, assistant professor of pediatrics at Baylor and the lead author of the study.

Scientists at the Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital have been able to create a cream supplement that contains human milk fat. The cream is a byproduct of pasteurized human milk.

The study involved dividing the premature infants into two groups: those who were given an exclusive human milk diet along with the cream supplement and those who received just the exclusive human milk diet.

The growth of infants who had both the exclusive human milk diet and cream supplement was better and more improved than those who only received exclusive human milk. Those who consumed the cream supplement grew bigger in weight and length.

Dr. Hair stated that the cream supplement is a natural way of providing the babies' need for fat. In the past, doctors had to add formula or oil to milk to help babies grow.

Although some may tend to believe that giving more milk may help premature babies grow, Dr. Hair stated the babies' stomachs and intestines can't tolerate a lot of feedings.