Psychometric properties of the Early Feeding Skills assessment tool

The Early Feeding Skills (EFS) tool is a clinician-reported measure of early feeding skills in young infants. In this study involving 142 feeding observations by EFS-trained clinicians, we identified the factor structure of the EFS and established evidence of construct validity with the Infant-Driven Feeding Scale-Quality (IDFS-Q), gestational age, and postmenstrual age. The EFS can be used by clinicians to guide feeding assessment and tailor care, and can be used in research.

Authors: Suzanne Thoyre, Britt Pados, Catherine Shaker, Kristy Fuller, & Jinhee Park

Publication Information: Advances in Neonatal Care. 2018; 18(5): E13-23. doi: 10.1097/ANC.0000000000000537

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Assessment tools for evaluation of oral feeding in infants younger than 6 months

In this literature review, we evaluated the currently available (at the time) tools for the clinical assessment of bottle-feeding and breastfeeding in infants younger than 6 months. In this paper, we provide information about the 18 identified assessment tools. For 7 of these, there were limited available literature or they were only intended for use in a specific population of infants. Of the 11 remaining assessment tools, all 11 were appropriate for use with breastfeeding infants but only 2 were intended for bottle-feeding. None had adequate psychometric development and testing. While all should be used with caution given limited psychometric testing, the Early Feeding Skills (EFS) Assessment and Bristol Breastfeeding Assessment Tool had the most supportive psychometric development and testing.

Authors: Britt Pados, JInhee Park, Hayley Estrem, & Araba Awotwi

Publication Information: Advances in Neonatal Care. 2016; 16(2): 143-150. doi: 10.1097/ANC.0000000000000255

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