Intervention éducationnelle infirmière visant la transition des nouveau-nés prématurés 
du gavage vers l’allaitement au sein
Transitioning preterm infants from gavage to direct breastfeeding during their hospitalization in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) is a challenging step. While this vulnerable population could benefit from interventions promoting an evidence-based transition such as non-nutritive sucking and oral stimulation, as well as promotion of direct breastfeeding experience and avoidance of bottles, the implementation of these interventions remains suboptimal in the NICUs. The persistence of restrictive beliefs as well as the lack of specific knowledge related to breastfeeding preterm infants may explain the suboptimal nursing practices related to the transition of preterm infants from gavage to direct breastfeeding in the NICUs. Thereby, an educational intervention supporting an evidence-based transition from gavage to direct breastfeeding was designed, piloted and evaluated with six NICU nurses. Based on the model Iowa Model for Evidence-Based Practice (Titler et al., 2001), the educational intervention, divided into three workshops, aimed an evidence-based transition of preterm infants to direct breastfeeding through a change in nurses’ practice, beliefs and knowledge. A pre and post-intervention questionnaire, as well as an evaluation questionnaire were administered to participant nurses. In addition, a clinical tool encompassing preterm infants’ oral development stages and interventions promoting a transition from gavage to direct breastfeeding was designed and given to participating nurses. After the intervention, participants reported their satisfaction with the educational intervention, as well as an improvement in their practice, knowledge and beliefs related to the transition of preterm infants from gavage to direct breastfeeding.
Transition Educational intervention Direct breastfeeding Preterm infants Iowa model