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Oral feeding readiness in preterm infants: a concept analysis

Mary Z Kish1

  • 1Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Chatham University and Magee Womens Hospital of University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, PA, USA. mkish@magee.edu

Advances in Neonatal Care : Official Journal of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses
|August 6, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Assessing oral feeding readiness in preterm infants requires understanding neurodevelopmental maturity, behavioral organization, and physiological stability. Caregiver and environmental factors also significantly influence readiness for oral feeding in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Area of Science:

  • Neonatology
  • Pediatrics
  • Developmental Neuroscience

Background:

  • Oral feeding readiness in preterm infants is a complex, daily challenge in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).
  • A clear understanding of oral feeding readiness is crucial for effective care of premature infants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore and define the concept of oral feeding readiness in preterm infants within the NICU setting.
  • To identify essential characteristics and case examples of oral feeding readiness using concept analysis.

Main Methods:

  • Employed the Wilsonian approach to concept analysis.
  • Observed and analyzed characteristics and case examples of oral feeding readiness in preterm infants in a level III NICU.

Main Results:

  • Oral feeding readiness is determined by neurodevelopmental maturity, behavioral state organization, and physiological stability.
  • Caregiver interactions and the NICU environment are significant influencing factors on feeding readiness.

Conclusions:

  • This analysis clarifies the essential elements of oral feeding readiness in preterm infants.
  • Findings support more consistent, evidence-based feeding care for hospitalized preterm infants in the NICU.

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