Feeding characteristics of healthy infants without reported feeding impairments throughout the first month of life

Abstract

ObjectiveElucidate characteristics of feeding performance in healthy infants without reported feeding problems throughout the first month of life.Study designFeeding was monitored in 61 healthy infants by caregiver report for 48 h a week from birth to 4 weeks old. Outcomes included feeding modality, how much they consumed, how long the feed lasted, and how many coughing episodes the infant exhibited. Data were analyzed with descriptive and non-parametric statistics.ResultThe majority of infants (68%) exhibited at least one problematic feeding behavior. Infants consumed 68 ml/feed over 20 min, though the milk volumes and feed durations were highly variable. Coughing occurred an average of 2 feeds per day. No significant change in coughing was observed throughout the first month of life (p = 0.64). Infants coughed significantly less during breast feeds than bottle feeds (p = 0.02).ConclusionHealthy term infants exhibit what appear to be normal developmental imperfections in feeding performance throughout the first month of life.