Sensory Motor Stimulation is one of the first coordinated muscular activities in the fetus. This study
aimed to evaluate the effect of sensory-motor stimulation on enhancing the oral feeding readiness
of preterm neonates. Subject and Method: A quasi-experimental design was utilized and
conducted in the neonatal intensive care unit at Minia University Hospital for obstetrics and
pediatrics. A purposeful sample of 140 preterm neonates and one tool was used in the current study
which includes: Personal data of the preterm infant, such as gender, post-natal age, and premature
oral feeding readiness assessment scale. Results: More than one-third of the study and control
groups gestational age ranged between 34 – 35 weeks. Mean scores of premature oral feeding
readiness were increased in the study group than the control group, especially on the third and
fourth days of the intervention with statistically significant differences. In addition, more than one-
quarter of the preterm neonates in the study group begins oral feeding within 4 – 6 days of
admission. Conclusion: Sensory motor stimulation is an effective technique for enhancing
premature oral feeding readiness of stable premature neonates as evidenced by the improvement of
the mean scores of premature oral feeding readiness assessment scale items and decreasing the time
needed for the onset of full oral feeding. Recommendation: Provide nursing training for all nursing
staff in the neonatal intensive care unit about Sensory Motor Stimulation for premature neonates.