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What are the reasons why premature babies feed slowly?

Sep 09, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhou Xiaofeng
Introduction
In general, slow feeding in premature infants may be caused by small stomach capacity, underdeveloped lungs, immature sucking reflex, gastroesophageal reflux disease, congenital heart disease, or other reasons. If any discomfort symptoms occur, prompt medical attention is recommended. In daily care, feeding should be given in small amounts but more frequently to reduce gastric pressure and avoid overfeeding in premature infants.

Generally, slow feeding in premature infants may be caused by small stomach capacity, underdeveloped lungs, immature sucking reflex, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), congenital heart disease, or other reasons. If discomfort symptoms occur, timely medical consultation is recommended. Specific analysis is as follows:

1. Small Stomach Capacity

Premature infants have relatively small stomach capacities and cannot accommodate large amounts of milk at once, which may lead to slower feeding. Parents should adjust the feeding volume according to the infant's stomach capacity and adopt a feeding method of small, frequent meals.

2. Underdeveloped Lungs

Premature infants may lack sufficient pulmonary surfactant, affecting alveolar expansion and gas exchange. This increases energy consumption during feeding, leading to slow feeding. Feeding in a side-lying position can help reduce respiratory effort and promote lung development.

3. Immature Sucking Reflex

The coordination between sucking and swallowing reflexes in premature infants is not yet fully developed, which may reduce feeding speed and efficiency. Caregivers should allow sufficient time for premature infants to adapt to the sucking and swallowing process to ensure adequate nutritional intake.

4. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

The esophageal sphincter in premature infants has not fully matured, potentially causing GERD. Acid reflux into the esophagus may cause discomfort, forcing the infant to feed more slowly, often accompanied by symptoms such as vomiting and coughing. Treatment may include medications such as potassium citrate bismuth granules, sucralfate granules, or omeprazole enteric-coated capsules, as prescribed by a physician.

5. Congenital Heart Disease

Poor maternal nutrition or prolonged exposure to chemical substances during pregnancy may increase the risk of congenital heart disease in premature infants. Structural heart defects can reduce cardiac output, impair circulation, and compromise nutrient delivery, causing fatigue and difficulty feeding quickly. Symptoms often include delayed growth and development, shortness of breath after activity, and cyanosis. Under medical guidance, procedures such as ventricular septal defect repair—using a patch to close the abnormal opening between the left and right ventricles—can restore normal heart structure.

In daily care, a feeding strategy of small, frequent meals should be adopted to reduce gastric pressure and prevent overfeeding.

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