What developmental intervention promotes soothing and digestion in preterm infants?

Non-nutritive sucking is a developmental intervention that significantly enhances the well-being of preterm infants by promoting both soothing and effective digestion. This practice involves allowing infants to suck on a pacifier or another non-nutritive source. The act of sucking itself can calm a distressed baby, elicits a sense of security, and may decrease the physiological stress response.

In addition to these soothing effects, non-nutritive sucking can also aid in the development of oral feeding skills. When preterm infants engage in this behavior, it has been shown to stimulate their gastrointestinal system, potentially facilitating the digestion process. This is particularly important for preterm infants, who often face challenges with feeding and digestion due to their immature systems.

Neurostimulation focuses primarily on sensory experiences that may support neurological development, but it does not specifically address the soothing effects or direct impacts on digestion as effectively as non-nutritive sucking does. Cognitive therapy and respiratory therapy are more relevant to behavioral and respiratory issues, respectively, and do not directly promote calming or digestion in the context of feeding for preterm infants.