Human milk is the optimal source of nutrition for infants, yet its nutrient content can vary depending on the mother’s diet and health. Until now, there were no reliable reference values for nutrients in human milk, making it difficult to assess infant nutrition accurately. To address this gap, the international Mothers, Infants, and Lactation Quality (MILQ) study created evidence-based reference values from healthy mother-infant pairs in four countries.

Children born before 37 weeks of pregnancy face a higher risk of developing mental health challenges. Despite advances in medical care, their mental health outcomes have not improved in recent decades. Researchers from Germany and the UK studied over 1,500 preterm-born children to identify which factors help them cope and thrive emotionally.

Every two seconds, a child is born too soon. Behind every case is a deeply personal story that deserves to be heard. Preterm birth is not just a medical challenge; it’s a human one. A global campaign called Born Too Soon, coordinated by the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (PMNCH), has shown how storytelling can be a powerful tool to raise awareness and drive change.

Extremely low birth weight infants face a high risk of postnatal growth failure, which can impact long-term development. Fortifying human milk is a standard practice, but the best strategy for supporting optimal growth remains unclear.

Romania’s 2025 Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) Marathon set a new national record with 1,606 hours of skin-to-skin contact in neonatal units across the country. Led by ARNIS, the campaign brought together parents, healthcare professionals, and hospitals to promote this life-saving practice for preterm and critically ill newborns. Discover how Romania is building a stronger future for its tiniest patients – one “prescribed” hug at a time.

Mental health challenges are common among parents after the birth of a very preterm infant. Feelings of anxiety and depression can emerge in both mothers and fathers, especially during the early days in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Trigger warning! This research news deals with the palliative care and death of terminally ill infants. In neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), life-saving efforts are central, but not all infants can survive. This presents emotional and ethical challenges for families and healthcare professionals alike. Neonatal palliative care (NPC) has emerged as a compassionate approach to support newborns with life-limiting conditions and their families.

A national symposium in Cyprus brought together experts, officials, and parents to improve care for preterm babies – from the first breath to adulthood.

A newly expanded neonatal unit in Limerick is transforming care for preterm and sick newborns – putting families at the center and raising the standard nationwide.

Read more on how Early Birds hosted a certified training in Lviv, Ukraine, bringing together 50 healthcare professionals from 16 regions of Ukraine to advance early assessment and follow-up care for infants at risk.