Feeding and swallowing difficulties in previously hospitalised premature infants in the neonatal intensive care unit: Perspectives from South African caregivers

This study indicates the need for holistic family-centred healthcare practices within the NICU. Therefore, in addition to providing oral-sensorimotor intervention to infants with feeding and/or swallowing difficulties, speech-language therapists (SLTs) need to ensure that caregiver needs and concerns related to their child are addressed. Moreover, SLT interventions need to consider caregiver-infant attachment and bonding strategies in the absence of oral feeding.Contribution: This study highlights the need for family-centred care practices within the NICU, which considers informational needs, inclusion in oral-sensorimotor intervention, and the psychosocial needs of caregivers.