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Demand feeding for healthy premature newborns: a randomized crossover study
Shiow-Ru Chang1, Kuang-Ho Chen
1Graduate Institute of Nursing, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Journal of the Formosan Medical Association = Taiwan Yi Zhi
|April 15, 2004
Summary
Demand feeding for premature infants offers greater volume per feed and faster feeding speeds compared to scheduled feeding. This method is suitable and feasible for healthy newborns.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Nutrition
- Infant Feeding Practices
Background:
- Hospitalized preterm infants often receive formula on a fixed schedule.
- Scheduled feeding ensures regular intake but may not meet individual infant needs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare demand feeding versus fixed schedule feeding in healthy premature newborns.
- To evaluate the effects of different feeding strategies on infant intake and feeding dynamics.
Main Methods:
- A 2-period crossover study design with 11 preterm infants.
- Each period included a 2-day trial with a 1-day washout.
- Infants' feeding characteristics were monitored under both demand and scheduled feeding protocols.
Main Results:
- Demand feeding resulted in a longer mean interval between feeds (4.17 vs 3.02 hours).
- Greater volume per feed (67.28 vs 51.11 mL) and faster feeding speed (5.73 vs 4.51 mL/min) were observed with demand feeding.
- No significant difference in daily total feeding volume or duration was found.
Conclusions:
- Demand feeding is superior to scheduled feeding for volume per feed and feeding speed in healthy premature infants.
- Demand feeding is a suitable and feasible feeding method for this population.