Effect of Cradle Position During Orogastric Tube Feeding on Comfort, Physiological Parameters and Vomiting

Effect of Cradle Position on Comfort, Physiological Parameters and Vomiting Frequency in Premature Neonates During Orogastric Tube Feeding: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The study was planned to determine the effect of the cradle position applied during orogastric tube feeding in premature newborns on comfort, physiological parameters and vomiting frequency.

Hypotheses of the Study H1: The cradle position applied to premature newborns during orogastric tube feeding; H1a: It affects the comfort level compared to the control group. H1b: It affects physiological parameters compared to the control group. H1c: It affects the vomiting frequency compared to the control group.

It is reported that the cradle position is the most preferred position by mothers during the breastfeeding process. The cradle position is a position where the mother holds the baby in her arms, the baby's head is placed on the inside of the mother's arm-elbow area, the baby's whole body is turned towards the mother, the baby's head is in line with the mother's breast, and the mother and the baby are in intense interaction. Although it is the most preferred position for breastfeeding, no study has been found in the literature evaluating the effect of the cradle position given during OGT feeding on the comfort level, physiological parameters and vomiting frequency of premature babies. For this reason, it is thought that it can be a supportive position that can be used by both neonatal nurses and mothers who are with their babies during the OGT feeding process for newborns preparing for the breastfeeding process in NICUs. It is thought that the study results will guide health workers and researchers regarding the supportive positions that should be given during newborn feeding.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Having a feeding frequency of every 3 hours,
• Having a birth weight of 1000 grams and above,
• Having an indication for intermittent feeding (bolus) with OGT,
• Being placed in a bed,
• Not having a condition that prevents giving the cradle position (having undergone surgery, having a congenital anomaly, etc.)
• Having stable physiological parameters,
• Babies whose mothers were not with them during feeding (having undergone surgery, receiving inpatient treatment, being discharged and out of town, not wanting to be held during feeding, etc.) were included in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• • Continuous infusion, slow bolus feeding or parenteral nutrition method used for feeding,

  • Switching to full oral feeding,
  • Having nasal obstruction,
  • Receiving oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation/CPAP support during the study period,
  • Receiving medication affecting gastrointestinal function during the study period (drugs that increase gastrointestinal tract motility and facilitate gastric emptying and gastrointestinal passage of nutrients, and drugs that decrease gastrointestinal tract motility).
  • Any medical diagnosis determined other than prematurity (Congenital anomaly, metabolic disease, asphyxia, sepsis, hyperbilirubinemia, intracranial hemorrhage and gastrointestinal hemorrhage, anatomic gastrointestinal anomaly, gastrointestinal disease, infection, frequent vomiting, distension).