Abstract
<jats:p>A preterm infant is born before 37 weeks' gestation and therefore misses some, or all, of the third trimester of pregnancy, a rapid period of growth and nutrient accretion. Premature infants have less lean tissue than term infants; hence, the principal aim of nutrition support in preterm infants is to simulate in utero growth. When assessing an infant's nutritional intake, it is important to calculate the actual intake, considering all the different sources of nutrition the infant may have received. The aim of the dietetic intervention is to achieve a postnatal growth rate equivalent to utero‐foetal nutrient accretion. Maternal breast milk is the preferred feed for preterm infants, followed by donor breast milk. United Kingdom dietetic guidance has recently been published, giving recommendations on the routine supplementation of vitamins, iron and the management of zinc deficiency in preterm infants. All dietetic treatment plans should be communicated to the multidisciplinary team and the infant's parents or carers.</jats:p>