Table 4 Responding to feeding cues and assessment of milk intake in NICUs (n = 105)
Weeks 32–33 | Weeks 33–35 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
n | % | n | % | |||
When the mother is present, when would the infant be put to the breast | ||||||
The infant would not be put to the breast | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | ||
At the scheduled tube feeding times, regardless of infant’s cues | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | ||
Whenever the infant showed cues at a scheduled tube feeding time | 35 | 33 | 31 | 31 | ||
Whenever the infant showed cues, regardless of scheduled tube feeding time | 51 | 48 | 62 | 59 | ||
Other* | 9 | 9 | 4 | 4 | ||
*During SSC, depending on the nurse, not on CPAP, combination of the above | ||||||
How is breast milk intake assessed; possible to choose more than one option | ||||||
Not assessed | 50 | 47 | 8 | 8 | ||
Weighing before and after breastfeeding | 22 | 21 | 50 | 48 | ||
Monitoring by daily weight | 21 | 20 | 40 | 38 | ||
Estimating intake by time spent sucking | 18 | 17 | 40 | 38 | ||
Estimating intake by the mother’s own assessment | 23 | 22 | 40 | 38 | ||
Estimating intake by the nurse’s assessment | 26 | 25 | 40 | 38 | ||
Other* | 11 | 11 | 20 | 18 | ||