Background: Preterm neonates, due to physiological immaturity and underdeveloped organ systems, are highly vulnerable to delays in breastfeeding and associated complications. Breast milk is the optimal source of nutrition, but establishing effective breastfeeding is often difficult. Aim: To assess the targeted nurse-led interventions on breastfeeding practices among preterm neonates admitted to a tertiary care hospital NICU. Methods: This study used a quasi-experimental design. It involved a pretest and posttest with control groups. There were 65 preterm neonates in the study group and 65 in the control group. Participants were selected through purposive sampling. The study group was the focus of a targeted nurse-led intervention that included positioning, tactile–kinesthetic stimulation, and kangaroo mother care for 45 min twice daily for 14 days. Meanwhile, the control group was maintained with the usual care in the NICU. Breastfeeding practices before and after the intervention were measured by the Bristol Preterm Neonates Breastfeeding Scale, which is an assessment of rooting, latch, sucking, and swallowing. Data were analyzed using paired and independent t -tests and chi-square tests. Results: Preintervention, most neonates in the study group had poor breastfeeding practices. After intervention, 91% showed moderate and 9% good breastfeeding practices, with the mean scores increasing significantly from 6.60 ± 2.21 to 14.60 ± 1.57 ( P < 0.001), and no significant changes were observed in the control group. Conclusion: The result showed that the targeted nurse-led interventions significantly improved the breastfeeding practice of preterm neonates admitted to the NICU.
S. et al. (2026) studied this question.