Feeding and Sucking in Preterm Infants

Oral motor stimulation (OMS) is defined as the sensorial stimulation of cheek, lip, jaw, upper-lower gum, internal cheek, tongue and soft palate that affects the physiology of oropharyngeal mechanisms and develops feeding functions.It took 15 minutes to apply the OMS by lightly touching their cheeks, lips, gums, and tongue with fingertips for the first 12 minutes, followed by letting the infant suck on a pacifier for the remaining 3 minutes. OMS used as an alternative or supplementary early intervention strategy to develop oral feeding skills in preterm infants.