Sucking and breathing patterns during breast- and bottle-feeding in term neonates. Effects of nutrient delivery and composition
O. P. Mathew and J. Bhatia
Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77550.
We attempted to determine whether differences in milk composition or flow
rate are the primary determinants in altering breathing pattern during
nipple-feeding. In the first phase of the study, 15 neonates were studied
during breast-feeding and bottle-feeding; in the second phase, 15 were
evaluated during bottle-feeding of expressed human milk and formula. A
reduction in inspiratory duration was observed with all feeding regimens.
Moreover, significant prolongation in expiratory duration and reduction in
breathing frequency were observed during bottle-feeding of formula and
expressed human milk (compared with control); these effects were greater
with formula feeding. Higher sucking frequency was observed during
breast-feeding compared with bottle-feeding; no difference in suckling
frequency or sucking pressure was observed between bottle-feeding of
expressed human milk and formula. We conclude that most of the differences
in sucking and breathing patterns between breast- and bottle-feeding can be
attributed to nutrient delivery rather than nutrient composition.
