ABSTRACT
The present study was designed to compare the sucking pattern of term and preterm
infants during bottle feeding with different types of nipple units (Enfamil single-hole
nipple units for term and preterm infants and SMA Nuk nipple units). In addition,
the sucking pattern of term neonates during a feeding regimen commonly used in many
feeding studies was evaluated (reservoir nipple system). In this system milk flows
from a reservoir through a tube and depends on the sucking pressure generated by the
infant. Only the Enfamil single-hole nipple units for term and preterm infants were
compared in preterm infants. No significant difference in sucking frequency was observed
in term neonates with different types of nipple units. Although the mean sucking pressures
generated tended to be less among nipple units with higher flow, these differences
were not statistically significant. Similarly, no significant difference in total
sucking or feeding time was observed among the three nipple units tested. Sucking
pressures generated by term infants were significantly less when milk flow was increased
markedly utilizing the reservoir system. In preterm infants no differences in sucking
frequency, sucking pressure, mean flow, or total feeding time were observed when sucking
patterns with term and preterm nipple units were compared. Implications of these findings
in feeding neonates are discussed.
