What is the recommended choice of feeding for infants born at 28 to 32 weeks of gestation?

Infants born at 28 to 32 weeks of gestation are considered preterm and often face challenges in coordinating suck and swallow reflexes, which can make direct breastfeeding difficult or ineffective. The primary concern for these infants is to ensure they receive adequate nutrition while minimizing the risk of aspiration and ensuring safety during feeding.

Using a nasogastric (NG) or orogastric (oroG) tube is the recommended approach in this scenario. This method allows for the safe delivery of nutrients directly into the stomach without requiring the infant to coordinate sucking and swallowing, which they may not yet be ready to do effectively. It also helps ensure that the infant is receiving the necessary caloric intake for growth and development without the added stress or energy expenditure that comes with trying to feed from the breast or bottle.

Other feeding methods, such as breastfeeding or spoon feeding, may not be appropriate at this stage due to the immature feeding skills of these preterm infants. While breast milk is highly beneficial and preferred when possible, direct breastfeeding often requires additional support and may not be feasible for very preterm infants lacking the capability to latch and suck effectively. Thus, the NG or oroG tube feeding is the most suitable choice for their nutritional needs in the early weeks of