Premature infant's inability to feed orally
Before the gestational age of 32 to 34 weeks, a premature infant cannot feed by mouth because of:
- Poor coordination (or lack) of sucking, swallowing, and gag reflex.
- Weakness of both the oral and stomach muscles.
- Small stomach capacity.
Until the premature infant becomes stronger and more mature, gavage feeding is used to feed milk, formula, or a combination of the two directly into the stomach. For the infant whose gastrointestinal tract cannot yet digest properly or is affected by necrotizing enterocolitis, intravenous (parenteral) feedings are given through a tube into the umbilical site (umbilical catheter) or into a vein.
When the infant is mature enough to feed from a nipple, oral feedings are introduced. As the infant grows stronger, oral feedings are gradually increased over a period of days or weeks. Many infants born at about 34 gestational weeks are able to feed completely by mouth.
The premature infant has higher-than-usual energy demands on his or her system after birth. Whether an infant is breast-fed, bottle-fed, tube-fed, or fed parenterally, a high-calorie supplement may be added to his or her diet to maximize growth and healing.
| Author: | Debby Golonka, MPH | Last Updated: May 8, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics Jennifer Merchant, MD - Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine | |
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