Among techniques of enteral feeding, gastric bolus feeding still appea
rs to be the method of choice for most newborn babies because it is bo
th practical and inexpensive. Unstable preterm infants and those with
severe respiratory diseases or with delayed gastric emptying time may
not tolerate intermittent gastric feedings and may benefit from contin
uous gastric feedings. Transpyloric feedings do not seem to offer any
advantage over continuous gastric feedings and should be reserved for
infants at risk of aspiration, such as those with gastroesophageal ref
lux or delayed gastric emptying. Early low-volume feedings appear bene
ficial and are not associated with increased morbidity. Once enteral f
eedings are established, daily increments of 10-20 ml/kg appear to be
safe and not associated with an increased risk of necrotizing enteroco
litis.