The effect of feeding methods of bottle and injector on the transition to full breastfeeding and sucking success in preterm newborns: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

PurposeThis study was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding methods of bottle and injector on the transition to full breastfeeding and sucking success in preterm newborns. Design and methodsThis study was a randomized controlled type experimental study. The study sample included 62 preterm newborns, resulting from the strength analysis, who were treated in the neonatal intensive care unit of a university hospital (31 bottle-feeding group, 31 injector feeding group). Data were collected using the Descriptive Information Form, Preterm Infant Follow-up Form and LATCH Breastfeeding Diagnostic Scale. The infants in the syringe and the bottle-feeding group were fed, and the sucking successes and transition times to breastfeeding were evaluated during the first breastfeeding, after 48 h and before discharge. ResultsWhen sucking successes and transition times to breastfeeding were evaluated, LATCH scores of the mothers in the syringe feeding group were significantly higher than the mothers in the bottle-feeding group, and infants switched to full breastfeeding in a shorter time (p < 0.05). When the physical parameter results were evaluated, the mean heart rate of the babies in the bottlefed group was significantly higher than the injector-fed group (p < 0.05). ConclusionsIt has been seen that injecting feeding method has a positive effect on the success of the newborn, the time of transition to full breastfeeding and life signs according to the bottle-feeding method. The findings obtained in this study suggest that to increase the success of sucking, shortening the transition time to full breastfeeding and using the injector feding method to maintain stabile physical parameters. Application to practiceThe findings obtained in this study suggest that to increase the success of sucking, shortening the transition time to full breastfeeding and using the injector feding method to maintain stabile physical parameters.