Clinical Perspective A swallowing and breastfeeding intervention programme for small and sick neonates embedded in kangaroo mother care

Alta Kritzinger, Elise van Rooyen, Anne-Marie Bergh

About the author(s) Alta Kritzinger, Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Faculty of Humanities, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
Elise van Rooyen, Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria Kalafong Provincial Tertiary Hospital, Pretoria, South Africa
Anne-Marie Bergh, Research Centre for Maternal, Fetal, Newborn and Child Health Care Strategies, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria Department of Maternal and Infant Health Care Strategies Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa

Abstract

Available evidence of oral sensorimotor interventions for small neonates is not strong. Evidence of interventions for sick term neonates is largely lacking. Studies are limited by risk of bias and inconsistency. Evidence of interventions relying on a single stimulation technique only appears to be low to very low. Ongoing research is required.

Contribution: We describe a five-component neonatal swallowing and breastfeeding intervention programme embedded in the practice of kangaroo mother care (KMC). Drawing on oropharyngeal physiology, neonatology, neurodevelopmental care, breastfeeding- and KMC science, the programme is the product of collaboration between a speech-language therapist and a medical doctor, and their team. Its implementation is dependent on coaching mothers and the neonatal care team. Researchers are invited to determine outcomes of the programme.

Keywords

kangaroo mother care; neonatal care; oral feeding difficulties; oral sensorimotor intervention; practice guidelines; preterm low-birthweight neonates; small and sick neonates; speech-language therapy; swallowing and breastfeeding intervention programme

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