Effects of Maternal Voice Stimulation Combined with Non-Nutritive Sucking on Improving Feeding Intolerance and...

This study explores the mechanisms underlying the impact of a combined intervention using maternal voice stimulation (MSS) and non-nutritive sucking (NSS) on feeding intolerance and growth and development in premature infants.

One hundred cases of low birth weight premature infants admitted between August 2021 and December 2022 were randomly assigned into two groups: the combined group and the control group, each consisting of 50 infants. The control group received a non-nutritive sucking intervention, while the combined group received maternal voice stimulation in addition to the sucking intervention. Differences in feeding intolerance, feeding progression, growth and development, feeding performance, and heart rate indices were compared between the groups.

Compared to the control group, the combined group showed significantly reduced incidence of feeding intolerance, feeding transition time, length of hospital stay, and time to regain birth weight, along with lowered heart rate. Additionally, there were significant increases in body mass growth rate, head circumference growth rate, body length growth rate, milk intake ratio, and feeding efficiency in the combined group (P < .05).

The application of maternal voice stimulation combined with non-nutritive sucking in premature infants could reduce the risk of feeding intolerance and heart rate levels. Simultaneously, it improved feeding performance and promoted growth and development in premature infants, indicating the clinical value and potential applicability of this combined intervention.

maternal voice stimulation, non-nutritive sucking, premature infants, feeding intolerance, growth and development, heart rate.