Which one of the following methods is most appropriate for feeding the baby at 31 weeks of gestation?

Correct option is A

Ans. (a) Sol. Intravenous fluids with occasional or gastric/nasogastric tube feeding is the most appropriate method for feeding a baby at 31 weeks of gestation. Premature babies may not be able to feed orally at this stage, so intravenous fluids and tube feeding provide the necessary nutrition.
· (b) Oral feeding: At 31 weeks, the baby may not yet have developed the necessary sucking reflex for oral feeding.
· (c) Intravenous fluids with occasional feeding: This is a possibility, but it doesn't fully address the baby's nutritional needs at this stage.
· (d) Total parenteral nutrition: This method is used when enteral feeding is not possible, but it's typically used for more critically ill or younger preterm infants.