Prioritizing mother’s own milk as essential therapy for late-preterm infants: a call for neonatal clinical action

Late-preterm infants (34–36+6 weeks' gestation) face increased risks of neurodevelopmental, metabolic, gastrointestinal, and immunologic complications due to incomplete late-gestation maturation. Mother's own milk (MOM) delivers unique bioactive factors that promote brain development, gut maturation, immunity, and lean growth—benefits superior to donor human milk or formula. Despite barriers such as feeding immaturity and routine supplementation, proactive lactation support can significantly improve MOM provision. This correspondence urges clinicians to prioritize MOM as the default feeding strategy in late-preterm care to enhance short- and long-term outcomes.