From Warm to Cold: Feeding Cold Milk in Preterm Infants with Uncoordinated Oral Feeding Patterns

Premature infants frequently face feeding challenges due to disrupted coordination of sucking, swallowing, and breathing, increasing their risk of dysphagia. There are few effective treatment options available for these infants. In adults experiencing dysphagia, consuming cold foods or liquids can be an effective strategy. This method stimulates the sensory receptors in the pharyngeal mucosa, promoting safer and more effective swallowing. We have previously demonstrated that short-duration feeding (5 swallows) with cold liquid significantly reduces dysphagia in preterm infants; however, the impact of extended cold milk feeding remains unexplored. This study aims to assess the safety of cold milk feedings in preterm infants diagnosed with uncoordinated feeding patterns and its effect on feeding performance.

Preterm infants with uncoordinated feeding patterns (n=26) were randomized to be fed milk at either room or cold temperatures using an experimental, randomized crossover design. We monitored axillary and gastric content temperatures, mesenteric blood flow, and feeding performance.

The findings suggest that preterm infants can safely tolerate cold milk without any clinically significant changes in temperature or mesenteric blood flow, and it may enhance certain aspects of feeding performance.

These results suggest that cold milk feeding could be a safe therapeutic option for preterm infants. These results highlight the potential for further comprehensive studies to explore the use of cold milk as an effective therapeutic approach for addressing feeding and swallowing difficulties in preterm infants. Registered at clinicaltrials.org #NCT04421482.