Feeding through the probe

In deeply premature babies, there is no swallowing and sucking reflexes, because they are not able to feed independently on the mother's breast milk. These children receive food through a special device - a probe.

Indications for feeding newborns through a probe

Other indications for feeding through the probe are:

Technique of feeding a child through a probe

There are two types of technology for feeding through the probe. In the first case, the feeding probe is administered only for one feeding. In the second - the probe is administered for multiple feedings for several days.

Before the start of feeding on the probe put a label to which it is injected into the stomach (measuring the length from the nose to the end of the sternum). Before feeding through the probe, pour a little milk - check its patency and remove air, the probe is injected in a filled state.

The child opens his mouth and inserts the probe to the mark exactly in the middle of the tongue, often the premature children are injected through the nose. Before starting the probe feeding, it is necessary to make sure that the child does not cough and does not suffocate, and the probe is in the stomach, not the airways.

A few minutes after installing the probe, a syringe filled with warm breast milk or a mixture is attached to its upper edge. If, after feeding, the probe is not removed, a special clip is placed on its upper part and the probe is fixed with an adhesive plaster.

When there is severe vomiting or urge for it, feeding should be stopped, during feeding, the head and body of the child should be turned to the side. If a preterm child has a swallowing reflex, he is fed not only through the probe, but also begins to give food through the pipette, gradually preparing it for normal feeding.