Adequate nutrition for the premature infant is often very difficult to achieve. The subject of nutritional management also is complicated by policies and techniques, such as feeding methods and feeding of ventilated infants, that vary between institutions. Basic facts about premature infant development, requirements, and metabolism of nutrients have been presented, however, to give the nurse the basis upon which to make decisions. With this knowledge, the nurse can continue to emerge as a central figure in the management of feeding the premature infant.