Interventions to Improve Oral Feeding Performance of Preterm Infants

Abstract

This review presents a summary of our current understanding of the development of preterm infant oral feeding skills, the feeding issues they are facing, and evidence-based approaches that facilitate their transition from tube to oral feeding. The field of infant oral feeding research is understudied as the recognition of its importance truly came about with the increased preterm population and the realization that a large number of these infants are not safe and competent oral feeders. It is understandable that this research has taken a “back seat” to the more immediate concerns of saving these babies’ lives. However, the time has now come when these infants make up a large proportion of patients referred to feeding specialists for unresolved oral feeding problems during their stay in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) as well as post-discharge. Unfortunately, due to the limited research so far conducted in this domain, available therapies are limited and lack evidence-based support. Fortunately, this growing medical concern is stimulating deeper research interests and funding. It is hoped that the information provided will assist the development of systematic differential diagnostic approaches to address infant oral feeding issues.