Oral feeding containers and their influence on intake and ventilation in preterm infants.

In order to determine whether changes in feeding container properties could expedite oral feeding without compromising ventilation, the rate of feeding and respiration were studied in 10 healthy preterm infants while using a collapsible feeding container, and the findings were compared to those obtained with the standard rigid bottle. Equal volumes of formula were offered from both containers. With the collapsible container, the total duration of feeding was significantly shorter, and the rate of ingestion of formula was significantly faster (p less than 0.01), while minute ventilation remained equally reduced from control levels during both feeds (p less than 0.05). The fall in ventilation was secondary to a reduction in tidal volume (p less than 0.001). Breathing frequency and transcutaneous oxygen tension did not change significantly with either trial. During feeding activity in both trials, airflow interruption occurred in both phases of the breathing cycle, but the total duration of interrupted airflow was greater with the collapsible container feed (p less than 0.001). Similar amounts of intra-oral negative pressure changes developed with sucking during both feeds. Results show that decreasing the rigidity of the feeding container shortened feeding time significantly without significantly affecting ventilation. Despite the greater duration of airflow interruption with the collapsible container, minute ventilation was sufficiently maintained to prevent compromised oxygenation.