Abstract
Feeding difficulties and delays in establishing full oral feeding for preterm infants have been associated with prolonged length of stay and cognitive and motor delays in the 1st year of life. Volume-driven feedings are associated with increased infant stress and delays in achieving successful feedings. At an academic medical center, infants aged 33 weeks and older experienced an average length of stay of 26 days, which is above the California Perinatal Quality Care Collaborative benchmark of 22 days. Best evidence indicates that infant-driven feeding (IDF) practices may improve the time to achieve full oral feedings and weight gain and decrease length of stay. The purpose of this pilot project was to improve the experience of infants learning to feed in the Level IV NICU by using an evidence-based IDF protocol.
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