Objective To evaluate whether changes in neonatal intensive care have improved outcomes for extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Methods A prospective phase-lag cohort study was performed in a tertiary level NICU. A meticulous nursing strategy based on neonatal individual developmental care assessment program theory and feasible ELBW minimization stimulus was developed. Conventional care was applied in 2013 (period Ⅰ) and gently caring was applied in 2014 (period Ⅱ). The outcomes of ELBW between these 2 periods were compared. Results During these two periods, thirty-seven infants were included in period Ⅰ and 41 infants in period Ⅱ. In periodⅠ46.0%(17/37) of the infants needed oxygen for at least 28 days, but in period Ⅱ it decreased to 24.4%(10/41), there was significant difference (χ2=3.990, P=0.046). The rate of breastfeeding increased from 27.0%(10/37) in periodⅠto 61.0%(25/41) in period Ⅱ, there was significant difference (χ2=9.061, P=0.003). There was no significant difference in the mortality rate and chronic lung disease (P>0.05). The incidence of intracranial hemorrhage decreased from 21.6%(8/37) to 4.9%(2/41), there was significant difference(P=0.041). Conclusions Gently caring may have resulted in less intracranial hemorrhage and improve breastfeeding rate. Parents are satisfied with gentle care and in light of these findings, gentle care deserves further exploration.

Objective To investigate oral feeding progression and its influencing factors in very-low-birth-weight infants. Methods Investigation was conducted among 114 infants with the Gestational age≤30 weeks,birth weight≤1 500 g using very low birth weight infants clinical information questionnaire and oral feeding survey. Results The very low birth weight infants started enteral nutrition(20.61±4.67) h after admission, achieved a total enteral nutrition (41.47 ± 15.53) days after birth with the correct gestational age was (34.35 ± 2.76) weeks. The infants started oral feeding (41.47 ± 15.53) days after birth with the correct gestational age(34.58±1.98)weeks.The infants achieved full oral feeding(55.19±16.30) days after birth with the correct gestational age(36.40 ±1.99)weeks.Single factor and multiple regression analysis showed that birth weight,gestational age,BPD were significant factors of oral feeding progression. Conclusions The smaller gestational age, birth weight, the longer duration the infants reach the oral feeding milestones, Infants with BPD have obvious oral feeding progression. The medical staffs should learn that the very low birth weight have oral feeding difficulties and thus take positive and effective measures to promote the advancement of oral feeding.