> Just a question about this - why the requirement that the baby must
> take all
> feedings by breast or bottle? We ran into this when my grandson was in
> the
> NICU and he was being breastfed then "topped up" with EBM by gavage. We
> wanted to try using a tube at the breast to give him the extra milk and
> felt
> we could take him home feeding that way, but the pediatrician was
> insistent
> that the baby had to have all feedings from either breast or bottle.
>
In certain circumstances, some babies will go home with the parents
taught to gavage feed. An example might be a baby with neurological
deficits who is unable to suck well either at breast or bottle.

Tube feeding is not risk free though, and I would not be comfortable
sending a baby home still needing tube feedings, though I know some
units do that. The parents must learn how to place the tube, how to
check placement,  how to give the feeding that way, how to recognize
possible problems, and frankly it's not the most pleasant thing for the
baby. I'm a little surprised anyone would want to gavage feed at home if
they don't have to. With just a little more maturity, babies can get all
their feedings at breast. (Or bottle.)



Anne Stringer, RN, NICU

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