Development of a technique for evaluating temporal parameters of sucking in breastfeeding preterm newborns

Aims: The aim of the current study was to developed and test the reliability of a technique for measuring temporal parameters of sucking in breastfeeding infants. Methods: The technique was developed using a cohort of 11 term and 12 preterm infants, and subsequently evaluated using a cohort of 43 preterm infants. Measurements related to sucking pressure in the term and preterm infants were acquired. The signals were recorded for 5 min, saved on a computer, and stored for analysis. For purposes of analysis, the minute with the highest quality signal was chosen. Signal analysis was performed by two researchers, and inter- and intra-observer agreement was assessed. The newborns in the sample had different gestational ages. Results: A technique was developed for the analysis of temporal parameters of sucking during breastfeeding and evaluated in 43 preterm infants with different gestational ages for the following variables: number of bursts per minute, number of sucks per burst, sucking rate, pause rate, and duration of pauses. The intraobserver agreement was 0.85 and the inter-observer agreement was 0.85. Conclusions: The technique that was developed and validated proved capable of measuring temporal parameters of sucking in breastfeeding newborns.