Caring for Premature Infants with Enteral Feeding

Abstract

The objective of this article is to propose guidelines of enteral feeding for pre-term newborn. The topics covered in this article include physiology of newborn’s gastrointestinal tract, issues to be considered when providing enteral feeding for newborns and nursing care for pre-term newborns regarding enteral feeding. Premature birth of newborns causes the immaturity of organ systems, including gastrointestinal tract, causing limitation for nutrient absorption. Providing good nutrition for pre-term newborn helps prevent such growth problems. Nutrition provided through enteral route is particularly important. Maternal breast milk is known to provide the best nutrient for pre-term newborns. When the newborn is in a suitable condition, enteral feed should be introduced starting from a smaller amount to help maintain gut mucosal integrity. Initially, tube feeding can be used in either continuous or bolus feedings depending on newborn’s conditions. After feeding, newborn should be positioned in right lateral decubitus or prone with slight head elevated. Performing Massage around newborn’s oral cavity before feeding helps promote sucking reflex for newborn. Encouraging mothers to participate in feeding, especially promoting breast feeding that followed the “10 steps to successful breast feeding” guide is important especially when newborn’s sucking reflex is good. Monitoring of all nursing care throughout the process is needed.