Demand feeding for healthy premature newborns: A randomized crossover study
Journal
Journal of the Formosan Medical Association
Journal Volume
103
Journal Issue
2
Pages
112-117
Date Issued
2004
Author(s)
Chen K.-H.
Abstract
Background and Purpose: In hospitals, preterm infants are routinely fed specified amounts of formula on a fixed schedule. This results in the baby's intake volume being regular and easily confirmed, but does not consider the individual baby's needs. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of demand feeding and fixed schedule feeding for healthy premature newborn babies. Methods: A 2-feeding-type, 2-period crossover study design was employed, in which each period consited of 2 days, the first of which was a washout period, comprising a self-comparison protocol designed to identify any differences in the feeding characteristics of premature infants on demand or scheduled bottle-feeding. Eleven preterm infants were included. The sample size was monitored during the observation period by power calculation. The mean weight at study entry was 1897.27 ± 175.94 g and the mean postconceptional age was 35.34 ± 1.54 weeks. Results: Compared with scheduled feeding, demand feeding was associated with a longer daily mean interval (4.17 vs 3.02 hours; p=0.00), greater volume per feed for demand feeding (67.28 vs 51.11; p=0.00), greater feeding speed (5.73 vs 4.51 mL/min; p=0.00), but a similar daily total duration of feeding. There was no significant difference in the daily total feeding volume. Conclusions: Demand feeding provides superior volume per feed, and feeding speed and shortens the duration of feeding compared to feeding on a routine schedule. It is suitable and feasible for healthy premature newborns.
Subjects
Bottle-feeding; Comparative study; Feeding behavior; Infant premature; Methods, feeding
SDGs
Other Subjects
age; article; body weight; bottle feeding; calculation; clinical article; clinical observation; clinical protocol; clinical trial; controlled clinical trial; controlled study; crossover procedure; feasibility study; feeding behavior; female; human; infant feeding; intermethod comparison; male; monitoring; newborn; prematurity; randomized controlled trial; sample size; analysis of variance; feeding behavior; infant nutrition; regression analysis; Taiwan; Analysis of Variance; Bottle Feeding; Cross-Over Studies; Feeding Behavior; Female; Humans; Infant Nutrition Physiology; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature; Male; Regression Analysis; Taiwan
Type
journal article