Newborn infants' preference for sterile water versus five--percent glucose and water

This study examined whether normal newborn infants had a preference for 5% glucose and water or sterile water for their first feedings. An ex post factor design was used with 215 normal newborns to test five null hypotheses. The infants' preference for 5% glucose and water was significant at the P less than 0.00001 level. Size significantly influenced intake; larger infants consumed more fluids regardless of type. Race, gestational age, and gender had no statistically significant effects on amount of intake. Further research is needed to validate whether the time at which the solution is offered and the presence of rooting reflexes are associated with the amount of solution an infant will consume.