Novel feeding system to promote establishment of breastfeeds after preterm birth: a randomized controlled trial
K Simmer1,2, C Kok1,2, K Nancarrow1,2
1Centre for Neonatal Research and Education, School of Pediatrics and Child Health, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia.
Objective:
We aimed to determine if a novel feeding system where milk only flowed when the preterm infant created a vacuum would influence time to full oral feeds, the length of stay (LOS) in hospital and breastfeeding at discharge.
Study Design:
This was a randomized controlled trial in the tertiary neonatal intensive care unit at King Edward Memorial Hospital, Perth, Australia. Eligibility criteria were: preterm infants of gestational age 25 to 34 weeks receiving >75% human milk by gastric tube. Infants were randomly assigned to being fed with a novel teat (NT) or conventional teat (CT). Intention to treat analysis was performed.
Result:
Time to full suck feeds was not different between groups. LOS was shorter (mean: 2.5 days; P=0.026) and less formula was fed at discharge in the NT group (P=0.036).
Conclusion:
Use of a NT that releases milk when the infant applies vacuum while establishing breastfeeding reduces duration of hospitalization of preterm infants.
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