Table 2 Feeding practices associated with weight gain among preterm neonates
Variable | Weight gain categories | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Poor weight gain <15 g/1000 g/day | Adequate weight gain ≥ 15 g/1000 g/day | P- value | |
Initial method of feeding | n (%) | n (%) | |
Cup | 134(90.5) | 14(9.5) | |
Tube | 55(82.1) | 12(17.9) | |
Breastfeeding | 8(66.7) | 4(33.0) | 0.028 |
Frequency of feeding | |||
Every 2 h | 16(80.0) | 4(20.0) | |
Every 3 h | 181(87.4) | 26(12.6) | 0.31 |
Time to initiation first feed | |||
1st day | 29(61.7) | 18(38.3) | |
2nd day and beyond | 168(93.3) | 12(6.7) | < 0.001 |
Time to full feeds (days) | |||
0–7 | 71(88.8) | 9(11.3) | |
8–14 | 79(84.9) | 14(15.1) | |
15–21 | 34(87.2) | 5(12.8) | |
22+ | 13(86.7) | 2(13.3) | 0.88 |
Type of milk fed on admission | |||
Breast milk | 185(86.4) | 29(13.6) | |
Formula milk | 4(100.0) | 0(0.0) | |
Mixed | 8(88.9) | 1(11.1) | 0.86 |