Nasogastric Feeding ("NG feeds")

Why Can’t My Baby Feed by Mouth Yet? Understanding NG Feeding in Preterm Infants

One of the most common questions parents of preterm babies ask is, “Why can’t my baby just eat by mouth?” Watching your baby receive milk through a tiny tube in their nose (called a nasogastric or NG tube) can feel concerning — but it’s actually a normal and important part of helping preterm infants grow safely.

Feeding Is a Complex Skill

Feeding may look simple, but it actually requires the coordination of three major actions: sucking, swallowing, and breathing — all at the right times and in the right sequence. For babies born prematurely, especially before 34–36 weeks of gestation, these skills are still developing. Their brains and muscles are not yet mature enough to handle the rhythm of safe oral feeding.

Protecting the Airway and Lungs

When a baby tries to feed by mouth before they are ready, milk can go “down the wrong pipe,” leading to aspiration (milk entering the lungs instead of the stomach). This can cause breathing problems, infections, or even serious illness. The NG tube allows your baby to receive the nutrition they need while protecting their airway as they grow and practice the skills they’ll need for safe oral feeding.

Conserving Energy for Growth

Feeding is hard work for a premature baby. Coordinating breathing, sucking, and swallowing burns calories that your baby needs for growth and brain development. NG feeding gives babies time to build stamina, muscle tone, and maturity so that when they start oral feeding, they can do it successfully and safely.

Learning Through Practice

Even while your baby receives NG feeds, the care team will help them practice oral skills in developmentally appropriate ways — such as non-nutritive sucking (on a pacifier during tube feeds), skin-to-skin contact, and positive oral experiences. These steps support your baby’s sensory and motor development and prepare them for feeding by mouth when ready.

Every Baby Has Their Own Timeline

Some preterm babies transition to full oral feeds quickly, while others take longer. The NICU team — including nurses, occupational or speech therapists, and lactation consultants — will guide this process carefully, watching for cues that your baby is ready.

In short: NG feeding isn’t a setback — it’s a bridge. It gives your baby time to grow, coordinate their movements, and feed safely when their body is ready. With patience, support, and practice, almost all preterm babies go on to feed completely by mouth and thrive.