Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 20, 2026
Experience is Instrumental in Tuning a Link Between Language and Cognition: Evidence from 6- to 7- Month-Old Infants' Object Categorization
Published on: April 19, 2017
Neonatal Eating Assessment Tool-Breastfeeding: Reference Values for Infants Less Than 7 Months old
Britt Frisk Pados1, Jinhee Park1, Suzanne M Thoyre2
16019 Boston College William F. Connell School of Nursing, Chestnut Hill, MA, USA.
Insights
The Neonatal Eating Assessment Tool-Breastfeeding (NEAT-B) provides reference values for infant feeding behaviors. Scores indicate fewer problematic breastfeeding symptoms as infants age, aiding clinical assessment and intervention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric feeding and nutrition
- Infant development
- Parent-reported outcomes
Background:
- The Neonatal Eating Assessment Tool-Breastfeeding (NEAT-B) is a 62-item parent-report measure for problematic breastfeeding symptoms in infants under 7 months.
- It is a validated and reliable tool for assessing infant feeding behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish normative data for the NEAT-B total and subscale scores in healthy, full-term infants.
- To describe score variations across different infant age groups.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional online survey was administered to parents of 475 healthy, full-term breastfeeding infants (<7 months).
- Descriptive statistics were computed for NEAT-B total and subscale scores stratified by age groups (0-2, 2-4, 4-6, 6-7 months).
Main Results:
- NEAT-B total scores, indicating more problematic symptoms, were highest in the 0-2 month age group and decreased with age.
- Most subscale scores showed a downward trend, except 'Compelling Symptoms of Problematic Feeding,' which remained low.
- The 'Infant Regulation' subscale scores were elevated for the first 6 months, then declined significantly.
Conclusions:
- Reference values for the NEAT-B are now available, aiding in score interpretation and clinical decision-making.
- These values support personalized intervention strategies and assessment of treatment efficacy.
- The NEAT-B can be utilized in research to track breastfeeding development and evaluate intervention effectiveness.
Background:
The Neonatal Eating Assessment Tool-Breastfeeding is a valid and reliable 62-item parent-report assessment of symptoms of problematic breastfeeding behavior intended for infants less than 7 months old.
Research Aim:
The aim of this study was to describe the Neonatal Eating Assessment Tool-Breastfeeding total score and subscale scores within a sample of full-term, healthy, typically-developing infants under 7 months old.
Methods:
Parents of healthy, full-term breastfeeding infants (N = 475) less than 7 months old completed the Neonatal Eating Assessment Tool - Breastfeeding through an online survey. Descriptive statistics were calculated for the total score and seven subscale scores within each age group: 0-2, 2-4, 4-6, and 6-7 months.
Results:
Neonatal Eating Assessment Tool-Breastfeeding total scores were highest (i.e., more problematic symptoms) at 0-2 months and decreased in older infant age groups. All subscale scores also had a downward trajectory in symptoms of problematic breastfeeding except the subscale Compelling Symptoms of Problematic Feeding, which was very low across age groups. Scores on the Infant Regulation subscale remained elevated for the first 6 months of life, then declined markedly in the 6-7 month age group.
Conclusion:
The Neonatal Eating Assessment Tool-Breastfeeding now has reference values to facilitate interpretation of scores and guide decision-making, personalization of interventions, and assessment of response to interventions. For research, the Neonatal Eating Assessment Tool-Breastfeeding can be used to follow longitudinal development of breastfeeding as well as to test efficacy of breastfeeding interventions.
More Related Videos
05:04A Common Marmoset Model of Mother-Infant Intervention for Breastfeeding Disorders in the Presence of Paternal Inhibition and Maternal Neglect
Published on: September 22, 2023
07:11Assessment of the Efficacy of An Osteopathic Treatment in Infants with Biomechanical Impairments to Suckling
Published on: February 5, 2019
Related Concept Videos
05:35Experience is Instrumental in Tuning a Link Between Language and Cognition: Evidence from 6- to 7- Month-Old Infants' Object Categorization
05:04A Common Marmoset Model of Mother-Infant Intervention for Breastfeeding Disorders in the Presence of Paternal Inhibition and Maternal Neglect
07:11Assessment of the Efficacy of An Osteopathic Treatment in Infants with Biomechanical Impairments to Suckling
19:15Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
08:09Use of an Eight-arm Radial Water Maze to Assess Working and Reference Memory Following Neonatal Brain Injury
11:39Non-invasive Optical Measurement of Cerebral Metabolism and Hemodynamics in Infants