Abstract

BackgroundBreastfeeding plays a vital role in a newborn’s life as it increases its chances of survival and is considered the optimal nutritional source for newborns. All newborns must have developed the suck, swallow, and breathe coordination in order to safely breastfeed. Studies conducted on breastfeeding in healthy term babies are limited as most studies available on breastfeeding focus on preterm babies. Full-term healthy infants can also present with feeding difficulties but due to a lack of studies conducted on them, there is no existing oxygen saturation pattern for healthy term infants. Thus, our study is designed to observe variations in the oxygen saturation of healthy term infants during breastfeeding.MethodologyA cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital from March 2021 to April 2021. Using a non-probability consecutive sampling technique, 60 neonates were enrolled in the study. The baby was monitored for heart rate and oxygen saturation before, during, and after feeding.ResultsThe oxygen saturation levels were lower during feed while it was significantly high after a feed (p < 0.001). No significant variation was seen between saturation before feeding and during feed (0.635) or before feeding with after feed (p = 0.108). Maximum oxygen saturation drop was observed in 21% at the first minute and cumulatively 73% of neonates within the first five minutes of feeding. Heart rate remained in the physiological range (120-160 b/min) in 85%, above 160 in just 11.6% of the babies.ConclusionEffective breastfeeding is crucial for the growth and development of every infant, which is why there is a need to have an understanding of how infants develop suck, swallow, and breathe coordination. Having breathing and sucking patterns for infants can help medical personal identify when an infant is having difficulty with oral feeding and suggest safer, more effective methods of breastfeeding.

Highlights

  • Breastfeeding is a vital part of every newborn’s life as it is considered to be an important and optimal source of nutrition for all newborns

  • The oxygen saturation levels were lower during feed while it was significantly high after a feed (p < 0.001)

  • Effective breastfeeding is crucial for the growth and development of every infant, which is why there is a need to have an understanding of how infants develop suck, swallow, and breathe coordination

Read more

Summary

Introduction

Breastfeeding is a vital part of every newborn’s life as it is considered to be an important and optimal source of nutrition for all newborns. Swallow and breath coordination is optimal for safe and effective breastfeeding. Saturation probe pulse oximetry is a non-invasive way to measure oxygen saturation and heart rate in blood. It provides monitoring of cardiopulmonary changes during feeding [5]. The normal range of oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry is 95%-100% in preterm infants and 97%-100% in full-term infants and children [6]. Our study is designed to observe variations in the oxygen saturation of healthy term infants during breastfeeding

Objectives
Methods
Results
Discussion
Conclusion
Full Text
Published version (Free)

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call