What Challenges Do Newborns with Neonatal Disorders Face?
Newborns with neonatal disorders may face several challenges that can affect their feeding skills. These challenges can include:
- Prematurity: Premature babies often have underdeveloped oral-motor skills, making it difficult for them to suck, swallow, and breathe effectively during feeding. - Respiratory Distress: Conditions like respiratory distress syndrome can compromise a newborn's ability to coordinate breathing and feeding, increasing the risk of aspiration. - Neurological Disorders: Conditions such as hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy can impact a baby's muscle tone and coordination, affecting their ability to feed. - Congenital Anomalies: Structural issues like a cleft palate can hinder an infant's ability to create a proper seal for sucking.
