Background: Preterm infants experience feeding problems due to their physiological and
neurological immaturity. Sensorimotor stimulation such as oral stimulation, non-nutritive sucking
and tactile kinesthetic stimulation are forms of stimulations used to enhance oral feeding for preterm
infants at Neonatal Intensive Care Units. Aim of the study: Was to assess nurses' practices for
sensorimotor stimulation to enhance oral feeding of preterm infants. Design: A descriptive design.
Setting: The study was conducted at selected Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) at Tanta
University hospital and Tanta University Educational Hospital at Gharbia Governorate. Subject: A
purposive sample of 80 nurses and preterm infants that satisfied predetermined inclusion criteria.
Study Tools: Interviewing questionnaire sheet and observational checklists to assess nurses'
knowledge and practices for sensorimotor stimulation to enhance oral feeding of preterm infants.
Results: It was found that, more than three fifths of the studied nurses had a good level of
knowledge and more than four fifths of them had competent level of practice regarding
sensorimotor stimulation to enhance oral feeding of preterm infants. Conclusion: Nurses' practices
to enhance oral feeding of preterm infants were competent and involved oral stimulation (perioral
and intraoral stimulation combined with non-nutritive sucking) and tactile-kinesthetic stimulation.
Recommendation: Raising awareness of nurses about sensorimotor stimulation to enhance oral
feeding of preterm infants.