Cup or bottle influence on pre-term newborn stomatognathic system during feed transition and breastfeeding rates

Abstract

Banckground: breastfeeding benefits for preterm infants are: nutritional and immunological properties from human milk, its role in gastrointestinal maturation, element of mother-infant bonding, neurobehavioral performance increasing, lower infection incidences, better psychomotor and cognitive development and lower re/hospitalization incidence. Aim: to verify through a literature review if using the cup or the bottle has an influence on breastfeeding. Results: studies show that the use of a cup is suggested as an alternative feed mechanism which does not invade the oral cavity, preventing nipple confusion and reducing the rate of early weaning. While the use of the bottle presents more retracted tongue position, making it difficult to exercise their role as a sensory guide. Thus, in response, many of its reflexes will be canceled. Besides, the cup feed, stimulates the reflexes required for feeding through the oral and olfactory sensory receptors, increasing the production of saliva and digestive enzymes. The use of cup is recommended by WHO (World Health Organization) in cases of infants who are breastfed. Conclusion: we can notice that, despite the advantages and disadvantages of using cup and bottle feeding as alternative methods, the association between the use of these methods and duration of breastfeeding is not well established.