Caregiver experiences of oral feeding in infants on long-term high flow nasal cannula support
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First published online 08 November 2024.
Why this study was done
Babies who need high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) breathing support for a long time often have trouble with feeding. However, hospitals manage feeding during HFNC in very different ways. This study asked parents and caregivers about their experiences to help improve care and support for families.
What the study did
Researchers interviewed seven caregivers whose babies had been on HFNC for an extended period at Queensland Children’s Hospital. The interviews explored their experiences with feeding and the challenges they faced. The researchers then looked for common themes and patterns in what families shared.
What the study found
Caregivers said their babies’ feeding problems often continued after leaving the hospital. This caused emotional stress and made daily life harder. Families also described mixed messages from healthcare teams about how to feed safely while on HFNC. When they had good access to feeding specialists and supportive staff, it made a big difference.
What this means
Families caring for infants on long-term HFNC face complex feeding challenges and need consistent, well-coordinated support. Hospitals should develop clear, evidence-based feeding guidelines and involve multiple specialists to improve care and reduce stress for families.
This study was conducted by:
Ms Katelyn Chan, Dr. Jasneek Chawla, Ms. Sally Clarke, Ms. Sandra Schilling & Dr. Jeanne Marshall.
For other accessible formats, please see the column to the right.
Disclaimer: The QDRN has utilised generative AI to refine the wording of this plain language summary. All content has been checked for accuracy, appropriate tone, and clarity and approved by the author.
First published online 08 November 2024.
Why this study was done
Babies who need high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) breathing support for a long time often have trouble with feeding. However, hospitals manage feeding during HFNC in very different ways. This study asked parents and caregivers about their experiences to help improve care and support for families.
What the study did
Researchers interviewed seven caregivers whose babies had been on HFNC for an extended period at Queensland Children’s Hospital. The interviews explored their experiences with feeding and the challenges they faced. The researchers then looked for common themes and patterns in what families shared.
What the study found
Caregivers said their babies’ feeding problems often continued after leaving the hospital. This caused emotional stress and made daily life harder. Families also described mixed messages from healthcare teams about how to feed safely while on HFNC. When they had good access to feeding specialists and supportive staff, it made a big difference.
What this means
Families caring for infants on long-term HFNC face complex feeding challenges and need consistent, well-coordinated support. Hospitals should develop clear, evidence-based feeding guidelines and involve multiple specialists to improve care and reduce stress for families.
This study was conducted by:
Ms Katelyn Chan, Dr. Jasneek Chawla, Ms. Sally Clarke, Ms. Sandra Schilling & Dr. Jeanne Marshall.
For other accessible formats, please see the column to the right.
Disclaimer: The QDRN has utilised generative AI to refine the wording of this plain language summary. All content has been checked for accuracy, appropriate tone, and clarity and approved by the author.
