Focusing on Feeding Skills

Abstract

Growth and development are key factors in the care of a late preterm (near-term) infant and substantially affect the future health of the infant and family. At times, the infant born between 34 and 37 weeks’ gestational age may be followed by a primary care provider or registered dietitian or evaluated in an acute care setting for inadequate weight gain and poor growth. While illness and endocrine, metabolic, gastrointestinal, and other physiological causes of poor growth are evaluated, attention should also be focused on other issues related to inadequate caloric intake and growth. Signs of limited feeding skills due to neurobehavioral immaturity and parental feeding style may play a role in the evaluation and interventions to ensure adequate intake and growth. This case presentation reviews a late preterm infant with poor weight gain who is followed closely with monitoring and observation of feeding patterns, family education, and support until an adequate growth pattern is established.