Transitioning preterm infants with nasogastric tube supplementation: increased likelihood of breastfeeding

To compare nasogastric tube and bottle supplementation as two means of transitioning preterm infants to breastfeeding within an established breastfeeding support program.

Prospective, randomized controlled trial; mothers and health care providers, who were not blinded.

Metropolitan private regional perinatal center; 40-bed intensive-care nursery.

Eighty-four preterm breastfed infants whose birth weight was 1,000-2,500 g.

Rates of exclusive and partial breastfeeding at discharge from the intensive-care nursery, and at 3 days, 3 months, and 6 months after discharge.

Compared with infants receiving bottle supplements, infants receiving nasogastric tube supplements were more likely to be breastfeeding at discharge and at 3 days, 3 months and 6 months, after adjusting for confounding variables. Odds ratios (confidence intervals = 95%) showed that the group receiving nasogastric supplements was 4.5 times (1.4 to 15) more likely to be breastfed at discharge and 9.4 times more likely to be fully breastfed (3.1 to 28.4). There were significantly fewer apnea and bradycardia episodes in the group receiving nasogastric supplements, although they had more episodes that required stimulation for resolution. Groups were not different with respect to length of hospitalization and infant weight at discharge.

Using nasogastric tube supplementation during transition to oral feedings increases the likelihood of breastfeeding at discharge, 3 days, 3 months, and 6 months. This intervention requires a program with skilled personnel and an environment that allows the mother and infant to be in close physical proximity. Further study should investigate differences in the effects on maternal confidence, imprinting, and suck mechanism when preterm infants are bottle fed and breastfed.