The subject invention provides methods for reducing or preventing villous atrophy and feeding intolerance in infants, particularly low birth weight and/or preterm infants, by enterally administering granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), erythropoietin (Epo), or both G-CSF and Epo. The subject invention also provides compositions that comprise G-CSF and/or Epo that may be administered to infants in need thereof. In one embodiment, the composition of the subject invention comprises recombinant G-CSF, recombinant Epo, and one or more electrolyte additives. In a specific embodiment, the electrolyte additive is selected from the group consisting of sodium chloride, sodium acetate, and potassium chloride.