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The Effect of Oropharyngeal Colostrum Administration on Early Feeding Skills and Transition to Oral Feeding in

Sümeyra Topal1, Sinem Yalnızoğlu Çaka, Selin Aytemiz

  • 1Author Affiliations: Department of Pediatric Nursing, Gülhane Faculty of Health Sciences, Health Science University, Ankara, Turkey (Mrs Topal); Department of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey (Mrs Yalnızoğlu Çaka); Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse, Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University Health Practice and Research Hospital, Kahramanmaraş, Turkey (Mrs Aytemiz, Çıkar); and Department of Pediatrics Division of Neonatology, Faculty of Medicine, Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, Kahramanmaraş, Turkey (Dr Yurttutan).

Advances in Neonatal Care : Official Journal of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses
|April 9, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Oropharyngeal colostrum (OC) administration significantly improved early feeding skills and weight gain in premature infants. This intervention may help premature babies develop oral feeding abilities more effectively.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal care
  • Pediatric nutrition
  • Developmental pediatrics

Background:

  • Premature infants often struggle with cue-based feeding, potentially leading to long-term feeding issues.
  • Delayed oral feeding skill development poses risks for premature neonates.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of oropharyngeal colostrum (OC) administration on premature infants' readiness for oral feeding.
  • To assess the effect of OC on the time required for premature infants to achieve full oral feeding.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized controlled trial involving 60 premature neonates (26-33 weeks gestation).
  • Infants were divided into an oral colostrum (OC) group (n=30) receiving 0.2 mL maternal colostrum, and a control group (n=30).
  • Feeding skills (Early Feeding Skills Assessment Tool - EFS-Turkish) and transition time to oral feeding were assessed over 7 days.

Main Results:

  • The OC group showed significantly higher EFS-Turkish scores post-intervention compared to the control group (P < .001).
  • OC administration explained 20% of the variation in EFS-Turkish scores.
  • The OC group exhibited significantly greater weight gain by day 7 (P = .022).

Conclusions:

  • Oropharyngeal colostrum administration is a promising non-pharmacological method for enhancing early feeding skills in premature infants.
  • This intervention may facilitate a smoother transition to full oral feeding for vulnerable neonates.
Abstract

Keywords:
colostrumcue-based feedingearly feeding skillsprematurity

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