newborn feeding and challenges

• poor suck, swallow, breathe coordination
• often require nasogastric tube feeding or TPN
• get tired easily with oral feedings
• respiratory issues often interfere with feeding
• immaturity of bowels causing increased risk of NEC
• will advance feeding as high-risk neonates grow
• techies such as side-lying and paced bottle feeding promote success
• Donor milk: shown to protect a specific group of infants especially preterm or extremely low birth weight infants, easily digestible, protect intestines against harmful bacteria, alternative to formula