Maternal and Child Health Journal

November 2018, Volume 22, Issue 11, pp 1568–1579 | Cite as

Cup Feeding as a Supplemental, Alternative Feeding Method for Preterm
Breastfed Infants: An Integrative Review

Frances Penny; Michelle Judge; Elizabeth Brownell; Jacqueline M. McGrath

First Online: 16 October 2018

Background: The benefits of human milk for the preterm infant are well
established. Preterm infants have lower breastfeeding rates and often face
breastfeeding challenges. It is important that feeding practices for
preterm infants optimize their chances of breastfeeding. Objective The
purpose of this integrated review is to synthesize and critically analyze
research related to the safety and efficacy of cup feeding as an
alternative, supplemental feeding method for breastfed infants. Data
Sources The electronic data bases of PubMed, CINAHL and were used to
identify studies published in English from 1998- 2017. Design Using
inclusion and exclusion criteria, 27 articles were initially assessed.
After further screening 19 articles were included in the full review and of
these 5 more were excluded. Lastly, an in-depth review of these 14 studies
resulted in 2 more exclusions, for a total of 12 studies that met full
inclusion and exclusion criteria. Review Methods Studies were examined for
information on safety and efficacy of cup feeding as an alternative,
supplemental feeding method for preterm breastfed infants. Studies were
grouped into categories of outcomes that included (a) safety and
physiologic properties; (b) breastfeeding outcomes. Results Use of cup
feeding resulted in more stable heart rate and oxygen saturation than
bottle feeding with similar weight gain. Additionally, breastfeeding rates
were higher at discharge with continued higher rates at 3 and 6 months
post-discharge for cup fed infants.

Conclusions: Premature infants face more breastfeeding obstacles than term
infants. The potential for cup feeding as an alternative to bottle-feeding
for breast fed preterm infants is positively supported by these results It
is fundamentally important for NICU professionals to establish a protocol,
education and training for the potential use of this feeding method for
this vulnerable population.

-- 
Dra. Carmela Baeza
Médico de Familia, IBCLC
www.centroraices.com
http://www.facebook.com/Consulta.Lactancia.Raices
<http://www.facebook.com/pages/Centro-de-Atenci%C3%B3n-a-la-Familia-Ra%C3%ADces/274415189309122>


Autora de "Amar con los Brazos Abiertos"
http://www.ediciones-encuentro.es/libro/amar-con-los-brazos-abiertos.html

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