An evaluation of the benefits of non-nutritive sucking for premature infants as described in the literature

• Published in: Archives of Disease in Childhood Vol. 94; no. 8; pp. 636 - 640
• Main Author: Harding, C
• Format: Journal Article Book Review
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health 01.08.2009; BMJ Publishing Group; BMJ Publishing Group Ltd; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Babies; Behavior; Biological and medical sciences; Breastfeeding & lactation; Control Groups; Evaluation; Feeding Behavior - physiology; Female; General aspects; Health aspects; Humans; Infant; Infant Behavior - physiology; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature - physiology; Infants; Infants (Premature); Interdisciplinary Approach; Male; Medical literature; Medical sciences; Metabolic diseases; Miscellaneous; Nutrition; Object Attachment; Pilot Projects; Population; Premature infants; Prevention and actions; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Speeches; Studies; Sucking behavior; Sucking Behavior - physiology; Sucking behaviour; Therapists; Thumb sucking; Young Children; United Kingdom > UK; England; Human; Premature; Evaluation; Pediatrics; Literature; Nutrition; Efficiency; Infant; Sucking; Child; Public health
• ISSN: 0003-9888; 1468-2044
• DOI: 10.1136/adc.2008.144204

Babies have specific needs that assist them in their development and enable them to thrive. Feeding is an important aspect of development. When feeding, there are opportunities for babies to develop a positive interactive bond with parents. This has a long-term impact on the well-being of infants in terms of emotional development, social learning, and health. Infants born prematurely and those born with specific needs making them vulnerable are likely to develop the necessary skills to allow them to mature, interact and thrive.Many premature infants may need alternative feeding methods until they are ready to develop the skills necessary for oral feeding. A beneficial approach for infants who are showing oral readiness is the use of a non-nutritive sucking programme. This paper explores the research that supports non-nutritive sucking, and considers other variables that need to be included in further research, including those infants who have neurodisability.