The feeding of neonates depends on their gestational age and it depends on the level of maturity of the neonate.
| Gestational Age | Feeding Skill Matured | Method of Feeding |
| <28 weeks | No proper sucking effort. No propulsive motility of the gut | Intravenous Fluids |
| 28-31 weeks |
Sucking bursts develop No coordination between suck/swallow and breathing |
Routine oro-gastric/ Nasogastric tube feeding with occasional spoon/ paladai feeding |
| 32-34 weeks | The sucking pattern begins to mature. Coordination between breathing and swallowing begins | Feeding by spoon/paladai/cup |
| >34 weeks | Mature sucking pattern present. Better coordination between breathing and swallowing | Breastfeeding |