Premature Infant Feeding
Premature infants must develop this coordinated skill before oral feeding.
What is suck-swallow-breathe coordination?
In family-centered care, parents are viewed as these.
What are primary caregivers / partners in care?
NICU noise should be kept below this level to protect hearing.
What is 45 dB?
This standardized scoring tool is considered best practice to assess posture of premature infants.
What is IPAT?
Minimizing stress and pain protects this critical organ.
What is the brain?
This non-nutritive activity supports feeding development and digestion.
What is pacifier use / non-nutritive sucking?
This type of meeting helps involve parents in medical discussions.
What are family-centered rounds?
This sensory strategy reduces visual overstimulation in preterm infants.
What is dim lighting / isolette covers?
What role does a neonatal therapist play in the NICU?
PT/OT/SLP collaborate to ensure that the baby’s needs are met in a holistic way, optimizing outcomes for motor development, feeding readiness, and sensory regulation.
Kangaroo care supports neuroprotection by stabilizing these.
What are heart rate, temperature, and oxygen saturation?
This type of feeding allows for maternal bonding and temperature regulation.
What is skin-to-skin feeding / breastfeeding during kangaroo care?
Providing information in a respectful, clear way enhances this.
What is parent confidence / empowerment?
This natural sound improves bonding and brain development.
What is a parent's voice?
Flexed, midline positioning promotes this type of development.
What is neuromuscular development?
This position reduces intracranial pressure in preterms.
What is midline head positioning?
Feeding readiness is based on these types of infant cues.
What are behavioral / physiologic cues?
Encouraging skin-to-skin and diaper changes helps parents feel this.
What is involved / competent / connected?
This comfort technique involves holding limbs close to midline.
What is facilitated tucking/containment/hand hug?
Handling should be clustered and timed with this.
What are infant behavioral states / sleep-wake cycles?
A quiet, dim NICU supports this vital process for brain healing.
What is sleep (especially REM sleep)?
Holding a baby in this position supports safer oral feeding.
What is semi-upright or sidelying position?
Mental health referrals and emotional support reduce this risk in parents.
What is postpartum depression / anxiety / trauma?
Developmentally appropriate sensory input should match this.
What is gestational age / infant cues?
This principle emphasizes caregiving that mimics the womb.
What is developmental care / individualized support?
Repetitive pain without comfort can disrupt development of this system.
What is the central nervous system (CNS)?