Identification of a Pivotal Period in the Oral Feeding Progression of Preterm Infants.

Objective: Preterm infants are at risk of encountering oral feeding difficulties which impede on the transition to independent oral feeds. The objective of this study was to identify a pivotal period where regressions are most likely to occur during their oral feeding progression.

Study Design: This is a retrospective study on 101 infants born <35 weeks' gestation.