What is the Milk Drop Method?
The Milk Drop Method is an evidence-based practice that improves feeding outcomes and has significantly shortened the length of stay for very premature infants. This intervention actively engages infants by placing droplets of milk on their lips, and based on the infant’s response, additional milk is offered.
As the infant begins to associate hunger with the enjoyment of eating, they are also practicing sucking, swallowing, and breathing – the adaptive motor skills critical for successful oral feeding.
Initially designed to support the neurodevelopment of oral feeding readiness in preterm infants, the Milk Drop Method has since been adopted for older infants in both neonatal and pediatric care settings.
Milk Drop Steps
Step One:
Place a drop or two of milk on the infant’s upper lip or fingers to smell and taste the milk.
Step Two:
Observe the infant’s response. If the infant is calm and stable, then gently offer a swab or pacifier.
Step Three:
If the infant accepts the swab or pacifier by opening their mouth or rooting, slowly offer more milk, a drop at a time, as the infant sucks.
Step Four:
If the infant instead makes subtle mouth movements or just licks the milk, slowly offer more milk, one drop at a time, as the infant licks.
Step Five:
However, if the infant doesn’t respond, support the infant to rest.
Key Components: Milk Drop Method
Testimonials
Dad of 24 weeker-now 35 weeks
Mother of 25 weeker now 32 weeks
Mother of 27 week twins – home at 37 weeks