Preliminary findings: a maximum oral feeding time for premature infants, the relationship to physiological indicators.

Oxygen saturation (SaO2) values, pulse rate and respiratory rate (RR) were monitored using a pulse oximeter during feeding sessions for 21 preterm infants (mean postconceptual age 35.61 weeks) at 3-minute intervals. The purpose of the study was to determine if there is a maximum stressful nippling time span within the context of the prescribed amounts of formula taken and to determine and verify the relationship between: (a) nipple feeding and clinical stress reactions to these variables, (b) the amount of formula taken in the first 3 minutes and (SaO2) values, PR, and RR; and (c) the birthweight of the infant and the length of time from birth to the initial nipple feed. Although the repeated analysis of variance failed to show a significant change (p > .05) from baseline in SaO2, PR, and RR, correlational analysis showed a significant relationship between the amount of formula taken in the first 3 minutes of feeding and the respiratory rate (r = .69, p = .001). Since no significant declines were detected across time in the physiological measures, a maximum stressful nippling time was not established from these data. As expected, a significant relationship between birthweight and the length of time from birth to the initial nipple feed was revealed (p < .05).