Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 26, 2025
Author Spotlight: Implications of Non-Nutritive Sucking on Speech Emergence and Infant Development
Published on: April 19, 2024
Maternal Voice Exposure and Its Effect on Premature Infants' Feeding Milestones: A Systematic Review
Yasmine Alabbasi1, Leslie Parker, Michael Weaver
1Department of Maternity and Child Health Nursing, College of Nursing, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Dr Alabbasi); and College of Nursing, University of Florida, Gainesville (Drs Parker, Weaver, and Krueger).
Background:
Premature infants experience alterations in maternal stimulation (including auditory sensory alteration such as talking or singing to the infant in the neonatal intensive care unit) due to admission to the neonatal intensive care unit. Because of their physiological and neurobehavioral immaturity, infants are at an increased risk of delays in reaching feeding milestones (a key developmental milestone), which often need to be achieved before discharge.
Purpose:
This systematic review evaluated the literature regarding the effect of maternal speech on achievement of feeding milestones in premature infants.
Data Sources:
A systematic search of CINAHL, PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar from 2010 to 2021.
Study Selection:
Studies were selected if they examined the effect of maternal voice interventions on premature infants' feeding milestones.
Data Extraction:
Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used.
Results:
Six studies were identified. This systematic review of the literature on the effects of maternal voice on feeding milestones in premature infants found equivocal results.
Implications For Practice:
Given the inconsistent results, this systematic review does not support a change in clinical practice. However, encouragement of maternal visits is highly recommended as the additional benefits of the mother's presence may extend beyond exposure to maternal voice.
Implications For Research:
More research is needed including use of more homogenous samples, application of recommended decibel levels, and utilization of an adequately powered randomized controlled trial to further examine the effects of maternal voice on feeding milestones.
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
11:50Clinical Practice Protocol of Creative Music Therapy for Preterm Infants and Their Parents in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Published on: January 7, 2020
