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Published on: March 1, 2015
Oral-motor function and feeding intervention
1Neonatal Special Care Nurseries, Emory University Hospital Midtown, and School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30308, USA. jbridgf@emory.edu
Physical & Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics
|January 15, 2013
Summary
This guide details evidence-based oral motor interventions for physical therapy in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). It focuses on infant-led, family-centered approaches to feeding transitions and suck-swallow-breathe coordination.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Physical Therapy
- Infant Feeding Development
Background:
- Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) require specialized physical therapy approaches.
- Optimizing oral motor skills is crucial for infant feeding and development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present the Oral Motor Intervention section of the Infant Care Path for NICU physical therapy.
- To outline evidence-based, infant-driven, and family-focused interventions.
Main Methods:
- Review of evidence supporting oral motor interventions.
- Integration of infant-driven and family-centered care principles.
- Development of a structured Infant Care Path for physical therapy.
Main Results:
- Established guidelines for initiating oral feedings.
- Provided methods for transitioning infants from gavage to full oral feeding.
- Highlighted the importance of suck-swallow-breathe coordination maturation.
Conclusions:
- The presented Infant Care Path offers a framework for effective oral motor intervention in the NICU.
- Evidence-based practices support timely and appropriate feeding transitions.
- An infant-driven and family-focused approach enhances outcomes for neonates.
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