The current recommendation is based on an impressive array of benefits that human milk provides to this highly vulnerable population, including decreased rates of late-onset sepsis,necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC),and retinopathy of prematurity,fewer re-hospitalizations in the first year of life,24 and improved neurodevelopmental outcomes.In addition, premature infants that receive human milk have lower rates of metabolic syndrome, lower blood pressure and low-density lipoprotein levels, and less insulin and leptin resistance when they reach adolescence, compared to premature infants receiving formula.