Study: AI can predict how well newborns nurse

A modified pacifier and artificial intelligence algorithms to evaluate the data it produces could show whether newborns are learning proper nursing mechanics, a proof-of-concept study found. The researchers measured the babies’ suckling strength to breastfeed, as well as if they were suckling in a regular pattern based on eight parameters. Published in April 2024 in the IEEE Journal of Translational Engineering in Health and Medicine, the results provide objective data showing current standard of care assessments could be improved and may ultimately prevent surgical interventions. Clinicians currently rely on two measures to determine if an infant is nursing properly: the baby’s weight gain, and inserting a finger in the baby’s mouth to evaluate how well the baby is sucking on that finger. (Newswise release, 4/29/24)