Investigation into the flow rate of bottle teats typically used on an Australian neonatal unit

Aims and objectives Premature medically fragile infants in neonatal intensive care may be establishing oral feeding skills during their admission. Not all can achieve breastfeeding bottle is the recognised alternative. Choosing a with manageable flow rate enable positive experience. The of teats used on an Australian NICU were tested to determine actual variation observed. Design methods Flow five different by attaching each teat breast pump measuring output milk after 1 minute. Range variability values compared. Results conclusions The results identified differing rates as well individual for NICU. Sepal Green /small size nipple/slow was fastest (mean 25.34 mL /minute). White / ultra-slow had slowest 7.34 mL/minute). Measurement moderate - high mean ultra -slow (CoV = 0.2), low slow small nipple 0.06). Data confirmed both within between used. Flow are important factors consider when selecting supportive equipment preterm infants.