The Effect of the Finger Feeding Method Premature Babies

The Effect of the Finger Feeding Method Applied by Fathers on the Transition Time to Oral Feeding and Sucking Success in Premature Babies

This study aimed to determine the effect of the finger feeding method applied by fathers on the transition time to oral feeding and sucking success in premature babies.

Premature babies followed in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit will be randomly divided into two groups: control group and finger-feeding group. Babies in the experimental group will be breastfed by their father three times a day. Before nasogastric feeding, the baby will be allowed to suck his finger by putting his finger in his mouth for five minutes three times a day. This procedure will be applied three times a day (morning, noon and evening) for a full 7 days. Babies in the control group will be given only routine ward care (breast milk or formula via tube without stimulation of the pacifier or mother's finger). Preterm Baby Monitoring Form and LATCH Breastfeeding Diagnostic Measurement Tool will be used to determine the transition time to oral feeding and breastfeeding success.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Premature babies at 29-31 weeks
• Birth weight of 1300 g or more
• Those whose 1st and 5th minute Apgar scores are over 6
• Those whose vital signs and health status are stable
• In babies who have received mechanical ventilation and continuous positive air pressure support, those who have passed 48 hours after stability has been achieved
• No facial or oral anomalies
• Premature babies without swallowing difficulties
• Those fed via nasogastric tube
• Fathers who can read, write and speak Turkish
• Fathers of preterm babies who agreed to participate in the research.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Those whose vital and health conditions are unstable
• Those whose father has a skin condition or those who developed it later
• Any upper respiratory tract infection in the father
• Premature babies without swallowing difficulties
• Fathers who cannot read, write or speak Turkish
• Fathers with preterm babies who do not consent to this study will not be included in the scope of the research.