In the NICU, babies require adequate nourishment to grow and thrive. Feeding a baby can be done in a variety of ways. A baby’s feeding method is determined by his or her age, weight, and medical condition. Feeding can be done in three ways (oral, enteral, and parenteral).
Oral Nutrition
Some newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) are ready to feed by mouth as soon as they are born. Breast milk or formula may be given to these infants. In either event, newborns in the NICU frequently require additional nutritional supplements to meet their calorie, vitamin, and mineral requirements. Dr. Brown’s bottles are commonly used in hospitals to feed premature babies, as well as full-term babies. Dr. Brown’s is a brand of baby bottles and nipples that are designed to reduce the amount of air that babies swallow while feeding. The bottles have a unique internal vent system that helps to reduce the amount of air that the baby ingests, which can help to prevent colic and other digestive issues. The nipples are designed to mimic the feel of a mother’s breast and come in a variety of flow rates to suit babies of different ages. Overall, Dr. Brown’s bottles and nipples are well-respected among parents and healthcare professionals for their effectiveness in reducing the risk of feeding-related issues.
Enteral nutrition
Babies who are unable to feed by mouth but have a functioning digestive system may require enteral nourishment. The infant receives breast milk or formula through a tube with enteral nourishment. The tube is generally inserted into the stomach.
Three Main Types of Tubes:
OG/orogastric tubes – Tubes that go through the baby’s mouth.
NG/nasogastric tubes – Tubes that go through the baby’s nose.
G/gastrostomy tubes – Tubes that go through the wall of the baby’s stomach and that require a particular procedure to place and remove.
Premature infants need enteral nourishment the most. Sucking, swallowing, and breathing coordination generally do not develop until 34 to 36 weeks of pregnancy. Enteral nutrition is also utilized for newborns who have medical issues that make it difficult for them to eat by mouth. Enteral feeding will be required until the infant is able to feed by mouth if the infant is preterm. Enteral feeding will be given if necessary if the infant has a medical issue.
Total parenteral nutrition (TPN)
TPN is a type of intravenous nourishment that feeds the infant through a vein. TPN makes use of a unique fluid that resembles breast milk and formula. It provides the infant with the carbs, protein, lipids, vitamins, and minerals that he or she needs in an intravenous form. When a newborn’s digestive system is immature, does not function properly, or when the infant has undergone certain types of surgery, TPN is generally administered. TPN might be required for a few days or months. It is dependent on the baby’s age and health. The objective for most newborns is to transition to nutrition through the digestive tract as soon as possible.
To summarize, there are three main ways to feed a baby in the NICU: orally, enterally, and parenterally. Oral feeding can be done with breast milk or formula and may involve the use of specialized bottles and nipples like Dr. Brown’s to reduce the risk of feeding-related issues. Enteral feeding involves providing nourishment through a tube inserted into the stomach and is often used for premature infants or those with medical issues that make it difficult to eat by mouth. Parenteral feeding, or total parenteral nutrition, involves providing nutrients intravenously and is used when a newborn’s digestive system is immature, not functioning properly, or after certain types of surgery. The goal for most newborns is to transition to nutrition through the digestive system as soon as possible.
Nurse Resource Team
