NICU Graduates: On Track for Ongoing Feeding Success!

As each little feeder prepares to transition from our 20-bed, level III (very tiny or sick newborns) neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to home, the interprofessional team assigns them one of three tracks to support their feeding skills progression. We do this as part of the rounds our team participates in together each day. This approach helps monitor feeding as babies mature, provides prompt intervention when needed, and supports our ongoing goal of reduced hospital readmissions associated with feeding. Here’s how each track works to support our smallest patients: Third track infants receive the guidance of our nurses and lactation nurses to advance their feeding skills. These babies are monitored through our general outpatient pediatrics services after discharge. The pediatrician, dietitian, and lactation registered nurse (RN) monitor the infant’s feeding progress. A neonatologist also calls to check in with the family shortly after discharge. If feeding concerns arise, any of these providers can initiate a referral for an outpatient feeding evaluation with a speech-language pathologist skilled in pediatric feeding and swallowing evaluation and treatment. NICU Practice Series: What’s the Best Follow-up After Discharge? Help NICU caregivers interpret what their preemie is telling them during feeding to support parent-infant relationships. Hearing screening and intervention prove particularly challenging with NICU babies. Second track infants require a feeding plan...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - Category: Speech-Language Pathology Authors: Tags: Health Care Private Practice Slider Speech-Language Pathology Early Intervention Feeding Disorders NICU Swallowing Disorders Source Type: blogs