Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 24, 2026
Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults
Published on: February 2, 2020
Assessment Tools for Evaluation of Oral Feeding in Infants Younger Than 6 Months
Britt F Pados1, Jinhee Park, Hayley Estrem
1School of Nursing, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill (Dr Pados); School of Nursing, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts (Dr Park); School of Nursing, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina (Dr Estrem); and Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina (Ms Awotwi).
Insights
Clinicians should use infant feeding assessment tools cautiously, as none have adequate psychometric testing. The Early Feeding Skills Assessment and Bristol Breastfeeding Assessment Tool show the most promise for evaluating infant feeding skills.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Clinical Assessment
- Infant Nutrition
Background:
- Feeding difficulties are prevalent in infants under six months, necessitating accurate identification for specialized care.
- Objective evaluation of infant feeding is crucial for ensuring proper nutrition and development of feeding skills.
- Validated assessment tools are essential for clinicians to objectively evaluate infant feeding.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and evaluate existing assessment tools for clinical use in evaluating bottle-feeding and breastfeeding in infants younger than six months.
- To determine the availability and suitability of infant feeding assessment tools for clinical practice.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was conducted using CINAHL, HaPI, PubMed, and Web of Science with keywords "infant feeding" and "assessment tool."
- A total of 237 articles were reviewed to identify relevant assessment tools.
- A secondary search refined the literature on the identified tools.
Main Results:
- Eleven infant feeding assessment tools were identified for clinical practice, with only two specifically designed for bottle-feeding.
- All eleven tools were indicated as appropriate for breastfeeding assessment.
- Critically, none of the available assessment tools demonstrated adequate psychometric development and testing.
Conclusions:
- All currently available infant feeding assessment tools should be utilized with caution due to limited psychometric validation.
- The Early Feeding Skills Assessment and Bristol Breastfeeding Assessment Tool exhibited the most robust psychometric development among the reviewed tools.
- There is a significant need for the development and rigorous testing of new infant feeding assessment tools to support optimal clinical care from birth to six months.
Background:
Feeding difficulty is common in infants younger than 6 months. Identification of infants in need of specialized treatment is critical to ensure appropriate nutrition and feeding skill development. Valid and reliable assessment tools help clinicians objectively evaluate feeding.
Purpose:
To identify and evaluate assessment tools available for clinical assessment of bottle- and breastfeeding in infants younger than 6 months.
Methods/Search Strategy:
CINAHL, HaPI, PubMed, and Web of Science were searched for "infant feeding" and "assessment tool." The literature (n = 237) was reviewed for relevant assessment tools. A secondary search was conducted in CINAHL and PubMed for additional literature on identified tools.
Findings/Results:
Eighteen assessment tools met inclusion criteria. Of these, 7 were excluded because of limited available literature or because they were intended for use with a specific diagnosis or in research only. There are 11 assessment tools available for clinical practice. Only 2 of these were intended for bottle-feeding. All 11 indicated that they were appropriate for use with breastfeeding. None of the available tools have adequate psychometric development and testing.
Implications For Practice:
All of the tools should be used with caution. The Early Feeding Skills Assessment and Bristol Breastfeeding Assessment Tool had the most supportive psychometric development and testing.
Implications For Research:
Feeding assessment tools need to be developed and tested to guide optimal clinical care of infants from birth through 6 months. A tool that assesses both bottle- and breastfeeding would allow for consistent assessment across feeding methods.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:26Assessment of the Mouth
Mouth Inspection
The inspection begins with visually examining the mouth for symmetry, color, and size.
01:15Enteral Nutrition II: Nasointestinal and Gastrostomy Feeding
Nasointestinal Feeding
Nasointestinal feeding involves placing a tube...
01:26Enteral Nutrition I: Orogastric and Nasogastric Feeding
Orogastric (OG) and nasogastric (NG) feeding are two standard methods used for enteral nutrition. Enteral nutrition is often preferred over...
01:14Assessing Body Temperature - Oral
Step 1:
Start by practicing proper hand hygiene to prevent the spread of microorganisms.
Step 2:
Take the thermometer out of the charging unit, switch it on, and wait for the ready sign.
Step 3:
Gently slide the probe cover until a click is heard. This simple action prevents cross-contamination and ensures the correct placement of the probe cover.
Step 4:
Instruct the patient to open their mouth and place...
01:30Assessment of Airway, Skin Color, and Use of Accessory Muscles
Introduction
The initial evaluation of a patient's respiratory system...
01:17Assessment of the Gastrointestinal System I: Subjective Data
Health History
The initial step in assessing the GI system is obtaining a comprehensive health history. This includes inquiring about the patient's history or presence of problems...