In 1987 and 1994 all UK regional neonatal intensive care units were questioned about their feeding policies for the ventilated preterm infant. Between 1987 and 1994 there was an increase in the use of milk feeds (59 versus 71%), fortified breast milk (5 versus 72%) and low birthweight formula (41 versus 69%) whilst use of donor breast milk declined (56 versus 22%). Units that gave enteral feeds used significantly less parenteral nutrition (p < 0.05). Overall there was a tendency towards greater uniformity in feeding policies.