Feeding challenges in the NICU & beyond: Expert tips to improve infant outcomes and of stay
For infants in the NICU, the transition to independent oral feeding is a key milestone and often a last criterion before discharge. However, some infants need considerable support to develop the skill of non-nutritive sucking — one of the most complex and essential precursors to successful oral feeding. The effects of underdeveloped sucking skills can be profound for both the infants and their caregivers — including delayed transition to full oral feeds, increased length of stay in the NICU, altered neurodevelopmental outcomes and increased parental stress.
In this whitepaper, neonatal experts will share their experiences with feeding challenges for preterm infants and infants in the NICU, and they will recommend preventative measures that can be used in the NICU to address some of these difficulties.
Key discussion topics and takeaways:
In this whitepaper, neonatal experts will share their experiences with feeding challenges for preterm infants and infants in the NICU, and they will recommend preventative measures that can be used in the NICU to address some of these difficulties.
Key discussion topics and takeaways:
- Why infants admitted to the NICU often present with underdeveloped sucking skills and the importance of developing strong non-nutritive sucking abilities.
- How underdeveloped sucking skills affect health or developmental outcomes for an infant.
- What challenges families or caregivers may face once an infant with feeding difficulties is discharged from the NICU.
- Resources, tools and preventative measures for hospitals and caregivers to address challenges with infants and feeding difficulties in the NICU.
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