Administration of Fortifier by Finger Feeder During Breastfeeding in Preterm Infants

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the acceptance, adherence, and feasibility of fortifier administration by finger feeder during breastfeeding and to determine weight, length, and head circumference gains after discharge for preterm infants.

Design: Observational pilot study.

Setting: A Level III NICU and its outpatient clinic in Vienna, Austria.

Participants: Infants born at younger than 34 weeks gestation were included.

Methods: Mothers were screened in a tertiary NICU and trained by certified lactation consultants to administer fortifier with a finger feeder during breastfeeding. Data on finger feeder use at home were collected by self-reported feeding diaries and questionnaires.

Results: In total, data from 24 mother-infant dyads were analyzed. The acceptance rate was 67%. In 41.7%, more than 50% of meals were fortified. Mothers did not report problems in preparation, but 33% of the infants stopped latching on or drooled milk during finger feeder use.

Conclusion: Use of a finger feeder to administer fortifier to preterm infants enabled mothers to exclusively breastfeed their infants and meet their nutritional needs. The development of further methods to augment preterm infant nutrition that do not interfere with breastfeeding is of great interest.

Keywords: breastfeeding; finger feeder; fortifier; growth; preterm infant.