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Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA) Placement in a Neonatal Patient Simulator Using a Non-Inflatable Supraglottic Airway (SGA)
04:56

Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA) Placement in a Neonatal Patient Simulator Using a Non-Inflatable Supraglottic Airway (SGA)

Published on: July 14, 2023

Should We Be Orally Feeding Infants on Continuous Positive Airway Pressure or High-Flow Nasal Cannula?

Britt Frisk Pados

    Nursing for Women'S Health
    |June 1, 2026
    PubMed

    Insights

    Starting oral feeds for infants on continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is not supported by current research. Evidence suggests feeding on CPAP is unsafe and does not speed up discharge or full oral feeding.

    Area of Science:

    • Neonatal Medicine
    • Pediatric Gastroenterology
    • Respiratory Support

    Background:

    • Neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) are increasingly attempting oral feeding for infants receiving respiratory support.
    • Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) are common respiratory support methods in NICUs.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To evaluate the safety and efficacy of initiating oral feeding in infants on CPAP or HFNC.
    • To determine if feeding on CPAP or HFNC accelerates time to full oral feeding or discharge.

    Main Methods:

    • Systematic review of current research on oral feeding in infants on CPAP or HFNC.
    • Analysis of existing data regarding safety and feeding progression outcomes.

    Main Results:

    • Current literature indicates that oral feeding while on CPAP is unsafe.
    • No data currently exists on the safety of oral feeding while on HFNC.
    • Initiating oral feeds on CPAP and/or HFNC does not appear to shorten the time to full oral feeding or discharge for most infants.

    Conclusions:

    • The practice of initiating oral feeding on CPAP is currently considered unsafe.
    • Further research is required to reliably assess the safety of oral feeding on CPAP and HFNC.
    • Current evidence does not support the use of CPAP or HFNC to expedite oral feeding or hospital discharge.

    Keywords:
    ICUbottle feedingbreastfeedingbronchopulmonary dysplasiainfantneonatalnewbornpositive pressure respirationpremature

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