A randomised trial of two techniques for bottle feeding preterm infants

Abstract

Aim Preterm infants begin the transition from gastric tube feeds to sucking feeds around 34 weeks' postmenstrual age. We compared physiological stability in two bottle feeding positions, cradle hold versus side lying in preterm infants. Methods Randomised crossover trial of infants <34 weeks' gestation at birth, ≥34 weeks' postmenstrual age at study and receiving at least two sucking feeds/day. Two feeds were studied on successive days. A pulse oximeter measured oxygen saturation (SpO2) and heart rate (HR) before, during and 30 min after feeds. Continuous data were compared using paired t-tests and proportions using chi squared. Results Twenty-five study infants were mean (standard deviation..