Kritzinger, Alta M. (Aletta Margaretha)Van Rooyen, EliseBergh, Anne-Marie2024-11-182024-11-182024-08-09Kritzinger, A., Van Rooyen, E., & Bergh, A.M. (2024). A swallowing and breastfeeding intervention programme for small and sick neonates embedded in kangaroo mother care. South African Journal of Communication Disorders, 71(1), a1055. https://DOI.org/10.4102/sajcd.v71i1.1055.0379-8046 (print)2225-4765 (online)10.4102/sajcd.v71i1.1055http://hdl.handle.net/2263/99113DATA AVAILABILITY : This is a clinical perspective article, based on description of available research and clinical experience. No original research was conducted that generated new data. Data sharing is therefore not applicable to this article, as no new data were created or analysed in this study.Available evidence of oral sensorimotor interventions for small neonates is not strong. Evidence of interventions for sick term neonates is largely lacking. Studies are limited by risk of bias and inconsistency. Evidence of interventions relying on a single stimulation technique only appears to be low to very low. Ongoing research is required. CONTRIBUTION : We describe a five-component neonatal swallowing and breastfeeding intervention programme embedded in the practice of kangaroo mother care (KMC). Drawing on oropharyngeal physiology, neonatology, neurodevelopmental care, breastfeeding- and KMC science, the programme is the product of collaboration between a speech-language therapist and a medical doctor, and their team. Its implementation is dependent on coaching mothers and the neonatal care team. Researchers are invited to determine outcomes of the programme.en© 2024. The Authors. Licensee: AOSIS. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License.Neonatal careOral feeding difficultiesOral sensorimotor interventionPractice guidelinesPreterm and low-birthweight neonatesSmall and sick neonatesKangaroo mother care (KMC)SDG-03: Good health and well-beingArticle