Timing Introduction and Transition to Oral Feeding in Preterm Infants: Current Trends and Practice
Newborn & Infant Nursing Reviews
Breton, S., & Steinwender, S. (2008).
Newborn & Infant Nursing Reviews, 8(3), 153-159.
This review investigates feeding practices, feeding readiness, and timing of introduction to oral feeds in preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit.
Not stated
2000-2008
Not further specified
21
<div>There is fair evidence that in stable preterm infants, "feeding practice/experience leads to maturation of the sucking pattern and earlier attainment of full oral feeding" (p. 156).</div>
<div>There is fair evidence that interventions to facilitate state organization and increased maturation or skill development "result in earlier attainment if full oral feeding; alert, quiet state/behavior is optimal for successful oral feeding experiences" (p. 156).</div>
<div>There is fair evidence that full oral feeding can be attained earlier by using a semi demand/cue-based feeding protocol based on the state and behavior of the preterm infant.</div>
<div>There is good evidence that "[Non-nutritive sucking] NNS stimulation before initiation of oral feeding leads to increased feeding efficiency, earlier attainment of oral feeding, and enhanced maturation of feeding skills" (p. 156).</div>
