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PremieFeed: Investigating Preterm Infant Feeding Behaviors, Growth, and Caregiver Experiences in the First Weeks
Sydney A McCune1, Paula M Sisk, Jennifer F Check
1Author Affiliations: Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina Greensboro, Greensboro (Drs McCune and Perrin); Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (Dr Sisk); and Department of Pediatrics, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (Dr Check).
Insights
Post-discharge feeding for preterm infants often involves changes and less human milk. Fortified feedings significantly improved infant growth in the first four weeks after hospital discharge.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Nutrition
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Infant Development
Background:
- Preterm infants have elevated nutritional risks due to immature gastrointestinal systems and feeding coordination.
- Effective feeding strategies are crucial for optimizing growth and development in vulnerable preterm populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To longitudinally examine feeding regimens, behaviors, growth effects, and caregiver experiences in preterm infants during the initial 4 weeks post-hospital discharge.
- To identify challenges and support needs for caregivers managing preterm infant feeding after NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) stay.
Main Methods:
- Weekly telephone surveys assessed infant feeding behaviors and caregiver experiences using a 3-point Likert scale.
- Growth and feeding data were collected during the first neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) developmental follow-up visit.
- Twenty-four caregivers of preterm infants participated in the 4-week post-discharge study.
Main Results:
- Feeding regimens changed in 33% of infants; human milk consumption decreased from 70% at discharge to 54% at 4 weeks.
- Poor infant feeding skills showed a weak association with negative caregiver experiences; 46% of caregivers sought professional feeding advice.
- Infants receiving fortified feedings grew 2.5 g/day faster than those not receiving them; 38% required nutritional intervention at follow-up.
Conclusions:
- The transition from hospital to home presents challenges for preterm infant feeding, marked by regimen adjustments, reduced human milk intake, and caregiver queries.
- Enhanced support and further research are needed to optimize feeding practices and outcomes for preterm infants and their families during the critical post-discharge period.
Purpose:
This study aimed to longitudinally investigate the preterm infant feeding regimens, feeding behaviors, effect on infant growth, and caregiver perceptions and experiences with feeding in the first 4 weeks following hospital discharge.
Background:
Preterm infants face high nutritional risk due to their underdeveloped gastrointestinal systems and feeding coordination.
Methods:
Caregivers of preterm infants were recruited to participate in a weekly telephone survey for the first 4 weeks following the infant's hospital discharge. Responses for infant feeding behaviors and caregiver experiences were scored on a 3-point Likert scale. Growth and feeding data were collected from the infant's first neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) developmental follow-up visit.
Results:
Twenty-four caregivers completed the study. Changes in feeding regimens were common (8/24 infants; 33%), with the percentage of infants receiving any human milk feedings decreasing from 70% at hospital discharge to 54% at 4 weeks post-discharge. Poor infant feeding skills were weakly associated with poor caregiver feeding experiences, and 46% of caregivers reported contacting their healthcare provider with feeding-related questions. Thirty-eight percent of infants required nutritional intervention at NICU developmental follow-up visit. Infants who received fortified feedings during the first 4 weeks after hospital discharge grew an average of 2.5 g/day faster than infants who did not receive fortified feedings.
Conclusion:
The postdischarge period for preterm infants is characterized by feeding regimen changes, a decrease in human milk use, and caregiver questions about feeding.
Implications For Practice And Research:
Future studies should further investigate the period after hospital discharge to enable better feeding support for preterm infants and their caregivers.
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