Feeding characteristics of healthy infants without reported feeding impairments throughout the first month of life

Katlyn Elizabeth McGrattan, Abbey E. Hammell, Morgan Elaine Turski, Kristina E. Klein, Elise Delaware, Jennie McCormick, Ellen Weikle, Erin Broderick, Sara E. Ramel, Alicia Hofelich Mohr

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Objective: Elucidate characteristics of feeding performance in healthy infants without reported feeding problems throughout the first month of life. Study design: Feeding was monitored in 61 healthy infants by caregiver report for 48 h a week from birth to 4 weeks old. Outcomes included feeding modality, how much they consumed, how long the feed lasted, and how many coughing episodes the infant exhibited. Data were analyzed with descriptive and non-parametric statistics. Result: The majority of infants (68%) exhibited at least one problematic feeding behavior. Infants consumed 68 ml/feed over 20 min, though the milk volumes and feed durations were highly variable. Coughing occurred an average of 2 feeds per day. No significant change in coughing was observed throughout the first month of life (p = 0.64). Infants coughed significantly less during breast feeds than bottle feeds (p = 0.02). Conclusion: Healthy term infants exhibit what appear to be normal developmental imperfections in feeding performance throughout the first month of life.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)71-77
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Perinatology
Volume44
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2024

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023, The Author(s).

PubMed: MeSH publication types

  • Journal Article

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