A descriptive study of bottle-feeding opportunities in preterm infants.
OBJECTIVE
The purposes of this study were to describe patterns of bottle feeding opportunities in preterm infants and to analyze the relationships between feeding opportunities and outcomes.


METHODS
The smaple was composed of 25 preterm infants who were bottle fed.


METHODS
Retrospective, correlational.


METHODS
Data were collected from medical records and analyzed descriptively. Correlation coefficients among variables were computed.


METHODS
Postconceptional age (PCA) at the time of full bottle feedings and transition time from the first to full bottle feedings.


RESULTS
The number of bottle feedings received per day during the transition from first to full bottle feedings was inversely related to length of transition to full bottle feedings. There was no relationship between the number of bottle-feeding opportunities and PCA at full bottle feedings.


CONCLUSIONS
The achievement of full bottle feedings may be facilitated by increased bottle-feeding opportunities. More research about the relationships among feeding readiness, outcomes, and opportunities is needed.
Pickler
Rita H
RH
Department of Maternal Child Nursing, Virginia Commonwealth University, Department of Pediatric Nursing, Virginia Commonwealth University Health System, Richmond, VA, USA. rpickler@vcu.edu
Reyna
Barbara A
BA
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D001724:Birth Weight; D001903:Bottle Feeding / Q000451:nursing*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000502:physiology*; D017283:Neonatal Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies