Ineffective Infant Feeding Pattern Nursing Diagnosis and Nursing Care Plan
Ineffective Infant Feeding Pattern
Ineffective Infant Feeding Pattern is defined by Nanda as impaired ability of an infant to suck or coordinate the suck/swallow response resulting in inadequate oral nutrition for metabolic needs.
Newborn’s primary source of food intake is through the breast milk of their mother. And it is very important to let the infant suck the very first milk that is produced right after delivery which is the colostrum. It is known as the first milk which contains protection for the infant against many diseases/infections. During the early stages of life, infants need to have a strict feeding pattern that the mother and immediate members should follow. This is the time to meet the basic and necessary nutrients for the infant’s normal growth and development.
Moreover, the infant needs to have a normal feeding pattern to meet the daily nutritional requirements and for them to prevent malnutrition in their early life. Any alteration in the normal feeding schedule leads to an ineffective infant feeding pattern.
At some instances there is ineffective infant feeding pattern which may be caused by several factors. There is an inability of an infant to suck or coordinate the suck/swallow response resulting in inadequate oral nutrition for metabolic needs. This can be caused by problems of the infant in sucking, and swallowing milk during breastfeeding. This can be a possible cause in not attaining the scheduled feedings of the infant which results to malnutrition.
Ineffective Infant Feeding Pattern: CAUSATIVE/RELATED FACTORS
- Neurological delay
- Neurological impairment (e.g., positive EEG, head trauma, seizure disorders)
- Oral hypersensitivity
- Oropharyngeal defect
- Prematurity
- Prolonged nil per os (NPO) status
Ineffective Infant Feeding Pattern: Defining Characteristics
- Mother’s verbalization of staggered schedule in infant feeding
- Lack of knowledge on the strict feeding pattern of infants
- Presence of gradual or sudden infant’s weight loss
- Presence of infant’s illness
Ineffective Infant Feeding Pattern: NURSING ASSESSMENT/RATIONALE
| ASSESSMENT | RATIONALE |
| 1. Assess parents’ knowledge on the importance and correct infant feeding techniques | · It will measure the depth and level of understanding on following the correct feeding pattern of infants |
| 2. Assess parents about the infant’s feeding difficulty. | · It will determine the presence of difficulties in feeding the infant |
| 3. Assess the need for alternative feedings if needed. | · It will not disrupt the recommended feeding pattern |
| 4. Assess causes of infant’s ineffective sucking | · It will provide the nurse to think possible remedies so as not to alter the infant’s proper nutrition |
Desired Outcomes:
- Infant shows no imbalances in the body’s fluid and electrolytes
- Infant shows his/her ability to suck milk sufficiently and correctly
- Infant attains the expected milestones during his/her growth and development
- Increase in mother’s knowledge on the normal feeding pattern of infants
- Mother follows the correct feeding pattern by all means
- No signs of weight loss
- There is no signs and symptoms of dehydration
- The parents will be able to determine factors that interfere with effective feeding pattern.
- Express increased confidence in their ability to perform appropriate feeding techniques.
NURSING INTERVENTIONS AND RATIONALES for Ineffective Infant Feeding Pattern
| Nursing Interventions | Rationale |
| 1. Weigh the newborn daily using the standard weighing scale | · It will detect if the infant has excessive weight loss during the early stages. |
| 2. Assess the infant’s sucking pattern during breastfeeding | · It will help determine presence of ineffective feeding pattern. |
| 3. Explain to the mother and significant others the importance of proper nutrition to infants by following the prescribed feeding pattern | · It will increase their understanding on the nutritional needs of the infant and promotes strict compliance to the correct feeding patterns. |
| 4. Check and assess the infant for signs of dehydration such as poor skin turgor, dry mucous membranes, decreased or concentrated urine, and sunken fontanels and eyeballs | · It will let the nurse detect possible signs and symptoms of dehydration and to be able to render immediate intervention. |
| 5. Teach parents the correct positioning during feeding the infant | · It will promote correct feeding procedure and prevent newborn from aspiration. |
| Collaborative | |
| 1. Refer the mother and newborn to the attending physician if there is presence unusual symptoms which may need immediate interventions | · This will help to prevent interference with the proper feeding pattern and so as to maintain infant’s proper nutrition |