Background: Feeding intolerance is extremely common in premature neonates. Cessation or delays
in enteral feeding may result in poor neurodevelopmental and growth outcomes in preterm infants.
So proper developmentally supportive post feeding positions is considered one of the key measures
that are carried out by neonatal nurses. Aim: determine the effect of developmentally supportive
post feeding positions on gastrointestinal feeding tolerance among preterm neonates. Design: A
cross-over experimental research design was used to accomplish this study. Setting: The study was
conducted at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at El-Shatby Maternity University Hospital in
Alexandria. Subjects: A purposive sample of 30 preterm neonates comprised the study subjects.
Tools: Three tools were used to collect the data: Tool I: Preterm neonates' characteristics and
clinical data assessment sheet. Tool II: Feeding pattern of preterm neonates assessment sheet. Tool
III: Preterm neonates' gastrointestinal post feeding tolerance assessment sheet. Results: The
majority of preterm neonates (96.7% and 96.3% respectively) had no gastric residual after
positioning on developmentally supportive semi recumbent position after feeding either after 69 or
120 minuts. There were statistically significant differences between the developmentally supportive
post feeding positions. Moreover, there were statistically significant differences found between
developmentally supportive post feeding positions at 60 minutes after feeding regarding abdominal
distention, vomiting and regurgitation. Conclusion: The results of this study concluded that placing
preterm neonates on developmentally supportive right lateral, left lateral and semi recumbent post
feeding positions reduce gastric residual volume and improve signs of gastrointestinal feeding
tolerance. Recommendations: Continuous training in neonatal intensive care units for nurses
should be performed for caring and placing preterm neonate in developmentally supportive right
lateral, left lateral and semi recumbent post feeding positions.