Development of a technique for evaluating temporal parameters of sucking in breastfeeding preterm newborns

AimsThe aim of the current study was to developed and test the reliability of a technique for measuring temporal parameters of sucking in breastfeeding infants.MethodsThe technique was developed using a cohort of 11 term and 12 preterm infants, and subsequently evaluated using a cohort of 43 preterm infants. Measurements related to sucking pressure in the term and preterm infants were acquired. The signals were recorded for 5 min, saved on a computer, and stored for analysis. For purposes of analysis, the minute with the highest quality signal was chosen. Signal analysis was performed by two researchers, and inter- and intra-observer agreement was assessed. The newborns in the sample had different gestational ages.ResultsA technique was developed for the analysis of temporal parameters of sucking during breastfeeding and evaluated in 43 preterm infants with different gestational ages for the following variables: number of bursts per minute, number of sucks per burst, sucking rate, pause rate, and duration of pauses. The intra-observer agreement was 0.85 and the inter-observer agreement was 0.85.ConclusionsThe technique that was developed and validated proved capable of measuring temporal parameters of sucking in breastfeeding newborns.