Metrics details. Prospective longitudinal observational study conducted in Neonatal unit of a referral hospital attached to Medical College. Many infant factors such as gestational age GA at birth and the birth weight, intrauterine growth status, illness severity, respiratory support, gender and maternal factors such as maternal education, number of other children, socioeconomic status, education, age of mother, breastfeeding experience, mode of delivery, antenatal visits, influence the development of feeding skills and the length of feeding progression [ 1 , 2 ]. Yet, there are no simple tools to aid healthcare professionals to decide when to initiate breastfeeding in these babies.

Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content.

When babies are born prematurely, their digestive systems may not be fully developed. As a result, many of these small infants experience feeding difficulties such as:. Babies born before weeks 32 to 34 of pregnancy usually can't nurse or drink normally from a bottle. Instead, these babies receive nutrients by gavage feedings, in which a tube is placed through their mouth or nose into their stomach. Although many premature babies can't breastfeed because they can't coordinate sucking, swallowing and breathing, mothers can still pump breast milk; the staff of the Intensive Care Nursery will store it and feed it to your baby by gavage feedings.