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A feeding protocol for healthy preterm infants that shortens time to oral feeding

G C McCain1, P S Gartside, J M Greenberg

  • 1Division of Patient Services, Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3039, USA.

The Journal of Pediatrics
|September 20, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Healthy preterm infants (32-34 weeks) on a semi-demand feeding protocol reached oral feeding 5 days sooner than those on standard care. Both feeding methods ensured satisfactory weight gain.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Nutrition and Feeding Protocols
  • Preterm Infant Care and Development

Background:

  • Transitioning preterm infants from gavage to oral feeding is a critical developmental milestone.
  • Standard care often involves scheduled feedings, which may not always align with individual infant needs.
  • Exploring alternative feeding protocols can optimize feeding outcomes in vulnerable preterm populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of a semi-demand feeding protocol versus standard care for preterm infants.
  • To determine if semi-demand feeding reduces the time to achieve full oral feeding.
  • To assess the impact of semi-demand feeding on infant weight gain.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized controlled trial involving 81 preterm infants (32 to ≤34 weeks postconceptional age) in two NICU settings.
  • Infants were assigned to either a control group (standard care, scheduled oral feedings) or an experimental group (semi-demand feeding).
  • Feeding transition duration and weight gain were compared using analysis of variance.

Main Results:

  • The semi-demand feeding protocol significantly reduced the time to achieve oral feeding by 5 days (P < .001).
  • No significant differences in weight gain were observed between the semi-demand and standard care groups.
  • Both feeding protocols resulted in satisfactory weight gain for the infants.

Conclusions:

  • A semi-demand feeding approach effectively accelerates the transition to oral feeding in healthy preterm infants (32-34 weeks).
  • This feeding method does not negatively impact infant weight gain during the transition period.
  • Semi-demand feeding represents a viable strategy to optimize feeding progression in this specific preterm population.
Abstract

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