The Effect of the SNS-Based Feeding on Transition to Exclusive Breastfeeding in Preterm Infants

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Breastfeeding; Preterm Infant; Sucking Behavior

• Registration Number: NCT05815706
• Lead Sponsor: Istanbul Medeniyet University

Brief Summary

This study investigated the effect of the Supplemental Nursing System (SNS)-based feeding on the time to transition to exclusive breastfeeding, sucking success, and the time to discharge in preterm infants

Detailed Description

Nutrition is a critical problem in preterm infants. They should initially be enterally fed because they have poor sucking-swallowing-breathing coordination. Once a preterm infant develops that coordination, enteral feeding should be discontinued immediately. Then, the preterm should switch to oral feeding (breastmilk). However, preterm infants are not good at sucking because they get tired too quickly, have poor sucking skills, and lack enough experience. Therefore, we must use alternative supplemental feeding methods (bottle, spoon, dropper, cup, breastfeeding support system, and finger feeding) until preterm infants mature enough to meet their daily nutritional needs by breastfeeding alone (exclusive breastfeeding).

The Supplemental Nursing System (SNS) is an alternative supplemental feeding method that supports the development of sucking skills while providing the preterm infant's nutritional needs. This study investigated the effect of the Supplemental Nursing System (SNS)-based feeding on the time to transition to exclusive breastfeeding, sucking success, and the time to discharge in preterm infants.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2018-11-20
• Primary Completion: 2019-04-30
• Study Completion: 2019-04-30
• Study First Submitted: 2023-03-23
• Status Verified: 2023-04
• Study First Submitted QC: 2023-04-04
• Last Update Submitted: 2023-04-04
• Study First Posted: 2023-04-18
• Last Update Posted: 2023-04-18

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 72

Inclusion Criteria

• being between the gestational ages of 30 to 34 weeks
• having a birthweight of ≥1000 g
• having an APGAR score of >6
• having stabilized for 48 hours after receiving mechanical ventilator or continuous positive air pressure or both
• being exclusively gavage-fed with breast and/or formula and ready to switch to oral feeding
• being willing to breastfeed

Exclusion Criteria

• having a congenital malformation that may cause asphyxia and affect breathing
• having an intraventricular hemorrhage, intracranial hemorrhage, or periventricular leukomalacia
• having intestinal anomalies or hyperbilirubinemia requiring exchange transfusion
• having respiratory distress syndrome, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, or other chronic lung diseases.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
The time to transition to oral feeding (hours)	up to three weeks	It was measured when the preterm infant swiched from gavage feeding to oral feeding.
Time to discharge (hours)	up to 2 months	It was measured at discharge
The sucking success (First measurement)	at the beginning of the study, up to three weeks	The sucking success was assessed using the LATCH Breastfeeding Assessment Tool. The tool was developed by Jensen et al. (1994) and adapted to Turkish by Yenal and Okumus (2003). It consists of five evaluation criteria: L (Latch on breast), how well the infant latches onto the breast; A (Audible swallowing), the amount of audible swallowing noted; T (Type of nipple), the mother's nipple type; C (Comfort, breast/nipple), the mother's level of comfort in relation to the nipple; and H (Hold/Help), the amount of help the mother needs to hold her infant to the breast. Each item is rated on a scale of 0 to 2. The total score ranges from 0 to 10, with high scores indicating successful sucking.
The time to transition to exclusive breastfeeding (hours)	up to two weeks	It was measured when the preterm infant transitioned to exclusive breastfeeding
The sucking success (Last measurement)	through study completion, an average of 2 months	The sucking success was assessed using the LATCH Breastfeeding Assessment Tool. The tool was developed by Jensen et al. (1994) and adapted to Turkish by Yenal and Okumus (2003). It consists of five evaluation criteria: L (Latch on breast), how well the infant latches onto the breast; A (Audible swallowing), the amount of audible swallowing noted; T (Type of nipple), the mother's nipple type; C (Comfort, breast/nipple), the mother's level of comfort in relation to the nipple; and H (Hold/Help), the amount of help the mother needs to hold her infant to the breast. Each item is rated on a scale of 0 to 2. The total score ranges from 0 to 10, with high scores indicating successful sucking.
The sucking success (Second measurement)	48 hours after the second measurement of sucking success	The sucking success was assessed using the LATCH Breastfeeding Assessment Tool. The tool was developed by Jensen et al. (1994) and adapted to Turkish by Yenal and Okumus (2003). It consists of five evaluation criteria: L (Latch on breast), how well the infant latches onto the breast; A (Audible swallowing), the amount of audible swallowing noted; T (Type of nipple), the mother's nipple type; C (Comfort, breast/nipple), the mother's level of comfort in relation to the nipple; and H (Hold/Help), the amount of help the mother needs to hold her infant to the breast. Each item is rated on a scale of 0 to 2. The total score ranges from 0 to 10, with high scores indicating successful sucking.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Istanbul Medeniyet University; 🇹🇷 Istanbul, Kadıköy, Turkey