Cup Feeding in Preterm and Term Infants: Effects on Physiological Stability, Feeding Outcomes, and Comfort

Abstract

Objective This study aimed to evaluate short-term physiological parameters, feeding duration, oral spillage, and post-feeding comfort during cup feeding in preterm and term infants admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit. Methods This study employed a single-group repeated-measures quasi-experimental design. A total of 43 infants born at or after 34 weeks of gestation were included. Data were collected during three consecutive cup feedings, including heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, feeding duration, oral spillage, and comfort scores. Results No statistically significant differences were observed in comfort scores across the first, second, and third feeding sessions (Friedman test, p = 0.104). Mean oral spillage was 8.75 g during the first feeding, 9.58 g during the second feeding, and 9.16 g during the third feeding, with no significant differences across sessions (repeated-measures ANOVA, p > 0.05). Physiological parameters remained within clinically stable ranges during feeding observations. Conclusion The findings provide descriptive evidence that physiological parameters, oral spillage, and comfort scores remained relatively stable during repeated cup-feeding sessions in this cohort of infants.