Sucking patterns of neonates during bottle feeding: comparison of different nipple units

The present study was designed to compare the sucking pattern of term and preterm infants during bottle feeding with different types of nipple units (Enfamil single-hole nipple units for term and preterm infants and SMA Nuk nipple units). In addition, the sucking pattern of term neonates during a feeding regimen commonly used in many feeding studies was evaluated (reservoir nipple system). In this system milk flows from a reservoir through a tube and depends on the sucking pressure generated by the infant. Only the Enfamil single-hole nipple units for term and preterm infants were compared in preterm infants. No significant difference in sucking frequency was observed in term neonates with different types of nipple units. Although the mean sucking pressures generated tended to be less among nipple units with higher flow, these differences were not statistically significant. Similarly, no significant difference in total sucking or feeding time was observed among the three nipple units tested. Sucking pressures generated by term infants were significantly less when milk flow was increased markedly utilizing the reservoir system. In preterm infants no differences in sucking frequency, sucking pressure, mean flow, or total feeding time were observed when sucking patterns with term and preterm nipple units were compared. Implications of these findings in feeding neonates are discussed.