Benefits of Non-Nutritive Sucking
- Supports gastric emptying (Zhao et al., 2004)
- Reduces feeding intolerance (Fazil et al., 2017)
- Promotes the maturity of gastrointestinal function and reduces the occurrence of gastrointestinal damage (Qiang, 2020)
- Increases levels of gastrin and somatostatin, which aid acid secretion, optimal digestion, absorption of nutrients and expulsion of waste products (Widström et al., 1988)
- Supports immediate pain regulation (Liang et al., 2018; Vu-Ngoc et al., 2020)
- Reduces pain reactivity (Riddell et al., 2015; Yilmaz, F. & Arikan, 2011)
- Reduces stress (Lan & Liaw, 2020)
- Regulates physiologic stability (Foster et al., 2016; Pinelli & Symington, 2005)
- Decreases heart rate and increases oxygen saturation when an infant is in distress (DeBernardo et al., 2019; Gao et al., 2018)
- Predicts later neurodevelopment for motor skills, balance, intelligence and language (Wolthuis-Stigter et al 2017; Wolthuis-Stigter et al 2015)
*’This list was compiled by Louisa Ferrara, CCC-SLP, NTMTC and shared via the National Association of Neonatal Therapists (NANT)’
References
- Tolppola, O., Renko, M., Sankilampi, U., Kiviranta, P., Hintikka, L., Kuitunen, I. (2022). Pacifier Use and Breastfeeding in Term and Preterm Newborns – A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. European Journal of Pediatrics, 181, 3421-3428. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-022-04559-9
- Samane, S., Yadollah, Z., Marzieh, H., Karimollah, H., Reza, Z., Afsaneh, A., Als, H. (2022). Cue-based Feeding and Short-term Health Outcomes of Premature Infants in Newborn Intensive Care Units: a Non-Randomized Trial. BMC Pediatrics. 22 (1), 23. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-021-03077-1
- Orovou, E., Eskizis, P., Ioanna, P., and Antoniou, E. (2022). Transition from Catheter Feeding to Oral Feeding and Breastfeeding of Neonates in the NICU. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews. 14 (03), 460-465. https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2022.14.3.0578
- Cai, M., Lin, L., Peng, Y., Chen, L., Lin, Y. (2022). Effect of Breast Milk Oral Care on Mechanically Ventilated Preterm Infants: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Frontiers in Pediatrics 17 (10), 899193. https:/doi.org/10.3389/fped.2022.899193
- Jain, S., Kumar, M., Tripathi, S., and Singh, S. (2022). Oral Application of Mother’s Own Milk for Prevention of Late Onset Sepsis in Preterm Very Low Birth Weight Neonates: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Breastfeeding Medicine, 17(1), 59-64. https:/doi.org/10.1089/bfm.2021.0184
- Canning, A., Clarke, S., Thorning, S., Chauhan, M., Weir, K. (2021). Oral Feeding for Infants and Children Receiving Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure and High Flow Nasal Cannula: A Systematic Review. BMC Pediatrics. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-021-02531-4