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The effect of breast- and bottle-feeding on oxygen saturation and body temperature in preterm infants

C H Chen1, T M Wang, H M Chang

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, 160, sec 3, Chung-Kang Road, Taichung, 407 Taiwan.

Journal of Human Lactation : Official Journal of International Lactation Consultant Association
|January 4, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Breastfeeding offers significant clinical benefits for preterm infants, including higher oxygen saturation and body temperature. Bottle-feeding may cause more physiological stress, indicated by apnea and oxygen desaturation events.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal care
  • Infant nutrition
  • Physiological monitoring

Background:

  • Preterm infants (<1800 g) require careful nutritional support.
  • Assessing the physiological impact of different feeding methods is crucial for neonatal well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the clinical effects of breastfeeding versus bottle-feeding in preterm infants.
  • To evaluate physiological parameters during different feeding methods.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective study of 25 preterm infants (birth weight < 1800 g).
  • Continuous monitoring of oxygen saturation, heart rate, respiratory rate, and body temperature during feeding.
  • 80 pairs of breast- and bottle-feeding sessions analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Significantly higher oxygen saturation and body temperature observed during direct breastfeeding.
  • Bottle-feeding was associated with 2 episodes of apnea and 20 episodes of oxygen desaturation.
  • No apnea or oxygen desaturation events occurred during breastfeeding.

Conclusions:

  • Breastfeeding is a more physiological feeding method for preterm infants.
  • Bottle-feeding may induce physiological stress in preterm infants.
  • Findings support breastfeeding as a preferred method for preterm infant care.

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