Maturation of gastrointestinal function in neonates is stimulated by enteral nutrition whereas parenteral nutrition induces gastrointestinal atrophy and malfunction. Trophic feeding is the practice of feeding minute volumes of milk in order to stimulate the development of the immature gastrointestinal tract of the preterm infant. The provision of trophic feeding to the metabolically stable premature infant appears to result in multiple nutritional benefits and in minimum risk of complications. Further studies are, however, needed before recommending this practice routinely.