Exploring the interaction of viscosity and nipple design on feeding performance in an infant pig model

Infant feeding behaviors are modulated via sensorimotor feedback, such that sensory perturbations can significantly impact performance. Properties of the nipple and milk (e.g., nipple hole size and viscosity) are critical sources of sensory information. However, the direct effects of varying milk and nipple properties on infant motor output and the subsequent changes in feeding performance are poorly understood. In this study, we use an infant pig model to explore the interaction between nipple hole size and milk viscosity. Using high-speed videofluoroscopy and electromyography, we measured key performance metrics including sucks per swallow and suck duration, then synchronized these data with the onset and offset of activity of jaw opening and closing muscles. The combination of a small nipple hole and thick milk resulted in negative effects on both suck and swallow performance, with reduced feeding efficiency compared to the other treatments. It also appears that this combination of viscosity and hole size disrupts the coordination between correlates of tongue and jaw movements. We did not see a difference in feeding efficiency between viscosities when infants fed on the large-hole nipple, which may be the result of non-Newtonian fluid mechanics. Our results emphasize the importance of considering both fluid and nipple properties when considering alterations to an infant's feeding system.