Funding outcome

When babies are born very early (before 33 weeks of pregnancy), they often face challenges learning how to eat and breathe at the same time. In the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), one of the most important goals for families is to have their baby breastfeeding successfully by the time they are ready to go home. However, many of these babies are still using feeding tubes or bottles when they leave the hospital. To help with this, the Royal Alexandra Hospital uses a program called Positive Oral Experiences Training Initiative (POETrI). The POETrI program helps babies born before 33 weeks learn how to eat in a safe and positive way. Whenever a baby shows signs that they are hungry, they are given small 'practice' sessions. The goal of POETrI is to give the newborn as many chances to practice breastfeeding before leaving the NICU. It is important that babies are not rushed through the stages of the program. If a baby moves to the next stage too soon, they often become inconsistent. They might eat a lot during one meal but then get too tired to eat at all during the next one. Babies who still need help with their breathing are at the highest risk for this because it takes a lot of energy to breathe and eat at the same time. By studying these factors, we can improve the way we care for the smallest patients. This project will help us understand the best timing and methods to support breastfeeding. Ultimately, our goal is to help more families leave the NICU feeling confident and successful in breastfeeding their babies, giving these children the best possible start in life. Feeding is one of the most critical skills a newborn must develop, directly influencing growth, brain development, and readiness for discharge and is the greatest source of stress for families preparing to take their babies home. This information will be shared with doctors, nurses, and parents to make the journey from the hospital to home more successful for everyone.