Dear Lactnet Friends:

I did a quick search through PubMed and found a few things to answer
Christina's request:

Buldur E, Yalcin Baltaci N, Terek D, Yalaz M, Altun Koroglu O, Akisu M,
Kultursay N. Comparison of the Finger Feeding Method Versus Syringe Feeding
Method in Supporting Sucking Skills of Preterm Babies. Breastfeed Med. 2020
Nov;15(11):703-708. doi: 10.1089/bfm.2020.0043. Epub 2020 Sep 11. PMID:
32915053.

   Abstract

   *Aim:* The aim of this study is to compare the efficiency of a new
   method called "finger feeding" with a well-known technique called syringe
   feeding for improving sucking skills and accelerating transition to
   breastfeeding in preterm infants.


*Materials and Methods:* Totally 70 babies were included in this
   prospective randomized controlled study. Finger feeding method was applied
   in Group 1 (*n* = 35) and syringe feeding method was applied in Group 2 (
   *n* = 35). The COMFORTneo scale (CnS), oxygen saturation, pulse,
   respiratory rate, body temperature, amount of breast milk taken, and
   vomiting data were recorded before and after both applications.
   Hospitalization period and time elapsed for complete transition from both
   methods to breastfeeding were also recorded.


*Results:* There was no statistical difference for birth weights, mean
   gestational age, and vital signs recorded before and after feeding between
   two groups. Predicted comfort and distress scores of Group 1 determined by
   the CnS were significantly lower than those of Group 2. This means that
   babies in the finger feeding group had better comfort than the those in
   Group 2 (*p* = 0.000). Time passed for transition to breastfeeding was
   significantly shorter than that in Group 2 (19.4 ± 15.0 days versus 29.7 ±
   10.2 days, *p* = 0.000). Group 1 had lower amount of food leakage while
   feeding and their average weight gain at the end of 10th day was
   significantly higher (322.1 ± 82.3 g versus 252 ± 108.4 g, *p* = 0.004).
   They also were discharged earlier than Group 2 (25.8 ± 17.4 days versus
   35.9 ± 13.0 days, *p* = 0.001).


*Conclusion:* Finger feeding method is an effective way for increasing
   sucking abilities, accelerating transition to breastfeeding, and shortens
   duration of hospitalization in preterm infants.

*Keywords: *discharge; feeding; finger; preterm; sucking.


_____________________________________________________

Moreira CMD, Cavalcante-Silva RPGV, Fujinaga CI, Marson F. Comparison of
the finger-feeding versus cup feeding methods in the transition from
gastric to oral feeding in preterm infants. J Pediatr (Rio J). 2017
Nov-Dec;93(6):585-591. doi: 10.1016/j.jped.2016.12.008. Epub 2017 Jul 14.
PMID: 28711457.
Abstract

*Objectives: *To assess the finger-feeding technique when compared with the
cup feeding method during the early stage of preterm infant feeding
transition regarding milk loss, milk ingestion period, and complications.

*Methods: *Experimental, randomized, prospective study including 53 preterm
infants with gestation age<37 weeks, clinically stable, and with a score of
>28 points in the Oral Feeding Readiness Assessment Scale. The preterm
babies were randomized to be included in the control group, which underwent
the feeding transition using a cup or in the experimental group, which used
the finger-feeding technique. The analysis of data was performed using
Student's t-test to evaluate differences between mean values of the
appointed variables, and Fischer's test for categorical variables; the
asymmetric variables were assessed by the Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA test.

*Results: *When compared with the control group, the experimental group
showed lower milk loss, longer milk ingestion time, and a lower frequency
of complications during feeding. The significance level was set at 5%, with
a confidence interval of 90%.

*Conclusion: *The finger-feeding technique was shown to be a better feeding
transition method regarding efficacy when compared with cup feeding method,
due to lower milk loss and fewer complication episodes.

______________________________________________________________

Nunes JA, Bianchini EMG, Cunha MC. Oxygen saturation and heart rate in
premature: comparison between cup and finger feeding techniques. Codas.
2019 Dec 2;31(6):e20180221. Portuguese, English. doi:
10.1590/2317-1782/20192018221. PMID: 31800880.
Abstract
in English,  <https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31800880/#enc-abstract>
Portuguese <https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31800880/#por-abstract>

*Purpose: *To evaluate the oxygen saturation, heart rate, length of
hospital stay and weight preterm infants or preterm newborns (PTNBs) (in
the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in the diet supply by cup and finger
feeding techniques, simultaneously with breastfeeding.

*Methods: *Simultaneous randomized clinical trial. Twenty-five preterm
infants admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the Public Hospital
from October 2011 to February 2012 were selected. The sample was divided
into two groups: Eight preterm infants who received the diet in the cup
probe group (CPG) who were born on the same day, and 17 by finger probe
group (FPG) who were born on the odd day. In the diet offer, the minimum
and maximum values of oxygen saturation (O2 Sat) and heart rate (HR) were
recorded: before offering the diet, during and after the offer.

*Results: *Regarding the variables O2 Sat and HR, no statistically
significant differences were observed between the groups, but in the group
vs time factor, the groups showed differences, not continuous in the O2 Sat
variable. Regarding weight, a statistically significant gain was observed
for both groups, and in CPG the highest weight gain was due to the longer
hospitalization time. It was verified that FPG presented shorter
hospitalization time.

*Conclusion: *There were no differences regarding O2 Sat and HR. However,
when analyzing the time factor, the groups presented some differences, not
continuous, indicating the need for other studies for a better
understanding of the effect. The FPG presented shorter hospitalization time
and the CPG infants had greater weight gain due to longer hospitalization
time.


warmly,
Nikki Lee RN, BSN, Mother of 2, MS, IBCLC, CCE, CIMI, ANLC, CKC, RYT
*@NikkiLeeHealth*
Pronouns: she/her/hers
*Communications are confidential and meant only for whom they are
addressed.*

             ***********************************************

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