LLLI Center for Breastfeeding Information

Journal Abstract of the Month for January 2002

"A Comparison of the safety of cupfeedings and bottlefeedings in premature infants whose mothers intend to breastfeed" K.A. Marinelli et al Journal of Perinatology 2001-9;21(6):350-55

This is the first prospective randomized study on the safety of cupfeeding premature infants, as compared to bottlefeeding. There were 56 premature infants whose mothers planned on breastfeeding in this study. The current standard of feeding is by bottlefeeding the mothers' own milk. The authors sought to show that cupfeeding offers several benefits to the infant, and to provide documentation to health professionals that cupfeeding is a safe method of providing feeds to premature infants.

There was a 10-fold increase in oxygen desaturations during bottlefeeds compared to no change during cupfeeds. Comparisons showed that heart rates were higher and oxygen saturations were lower during bottlefeeds. Respiratory rate, choking, spitting or apnea and bradycardia were similar in bottlefeeds and cupfeeds. Volumes taken in were lower and duration of feeds longer during cupfeeding, permitting the infant to determine his needs and competencies, allowing for infant initiation and control. Providing breast milk to the infants by cup when the mother is not present or before the infants are able to breastfeed directly supports breastfeeding. A description of the management of cupfeeding and the method of intake and how this benefits breastfeeding is included.

This article has been categorized in the following keywords: Prematures, Cupfeeding, Suckling, Management, Professional Attitudes, Advantages, Human Milk: Storage/Processing, Breast Pumps/Devices, Breastfeeding Duration, Psychology-Infant, Physiology of Breastfeeding, Kangaroo Care