Standard care
ml/kg/
In all preterm infants, orogastric tubes were inserted. A 6 Fr orogastric tube is generally inserted in these infants. Bolus feedings were given by gravity drainage after priming the tubing every three hours in the two groups. Continuous feeds were given using an automatic syringe pump. Gastric residuals were checked every three hours in infants in the two groups, regardless of assignment. In the unit, preterm infants were fed eight meals a day. The feeding of the preterm infants was started with a 2- or 3-ml feeding bolus for the first feeding. As food toleration developed, this amount was increased to 20 ml/kg/ day and continued until it reached 140-160 ml/kg/day. During infant gavage feeding, the flow rate of milk was caused by gravity using the suspension technique without applying pressure to the injector. Body weight was measured and recorded daily before the 9:00 a.m. feeding during the study.