In an 8-week-old infant with congenital heart disease, what feeding information is most important for the nurse to convey?

In an 8-week-old infant with congenital heart disease, what feeding information is most important for the nurse to convey?

• A. Provide a higher calorie formula or fortified breast milk
• B. Allow the infant 1 hour to complete each feeding
• C. Position the infant upright after each feeding
• D. Feedings via nasogastric tube to conserve energy

Answer: (D)

Infants with congenital heart disease have higher energy needs and tire easily during feeds, so conserving energy during feeding is essential to support growth. Delivering nutrition through a nasogastric tube allows the infant to receive the necessary calories with minimal effort, helping prevent fatigue from long or struggle-filled feeds and promoting adequate weight gain. While increasing calories per ounce with fortified breast milk or high-calorie formula is important, the method that directly ensures sufficient caloric intake while minimizing energy expenditure is tube feeding. This approach is used when oral feeding alone isn’t meeting the infant’s energy needs, aiming to support growth and reduce strain on the heart.

Infants with congenital heart disease have higher energy needs and tire easily during feeds, so conserving energy during feeding is essential to support growth. Delivering nutrition through a nasogastric tube allows the infant to receive the necessary calories with minimal effort, helping prevent fatigue from long or struggle-filled feeds and promoting adequate weight gain. While increasing calories per ounce with fortified breast milk or high-calorie formula is important, the method that directly ensures sufficient caloric intake while minimizing energy expenditure is tube feeding. This approach is used when oral feeding alone isn’t meeting the infant’s energy needs, aiming to support growth and reduce strain on the heart.