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Objectives-When preterm infants experience heel stick, crying commonly occurs and has adverse physical effects. A reduction in crying is desired. Kangaroo Care, skin contact between mother and infant, reduces pain as measured by the Premature Infant Pain Profile, and may reduce crying time. The purpose of the pilot was to test Kangaroo Care's effect on the preterm infant's crying response to heel-stick.Methods-A prospective cross-over study with 10 prematures 2-9 days old (30-32 weeks postmenstrual age) was conducted. Infants were randomly assigned to two sequences (Day 1 heel stick in Kangaroo Care [after 30 minutes of prone skin contact upright between maternal breasts] and Day 2 heel stick in incubator [inclined, nested and prone] or the opposite sequence) was conducted. Video tapes of Baseline, Heel Warming, Heel Stick, and Recovery phases were independently scored for audible and inaudible crying times by two research assistants. The audible and inaudible crying times for each subject in each phase were summed and the mean between the scorer's values was analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA.Results-Subject characteristics did not differ between those in the two sequences. Crying time differed between the study phases on both days (p ≤ 0.001). When in Kangaroo Care as compared to the incubator, crying time was less during the Heel stick (p = 0.001) and Recovery (p = 0.01) phases. Conclusion-BecauseKangaroo Care reduced crying in response to heel stick in medically stable preterm infants who were 2-9 days old, a definitive study is recommended.

Background: Although previous studies have demonstrated beneficial breastfeeding outcomes when cup feeding rather than bottle feeding was used for feeding preterm infants, cup feeding has not been implemented in Egypt. The aim of the current study was to examine the effect of using cup feeding as an exclusive method of feeding preterm infants during hospitalization on breastfeeding outcomes after discharge.

Introduction: Exposure to positive clinical learning experience influences the nursing students' knowledge, skills, attitudes, and interest in continuing the nursing profession. It is widely acknowledged that clinical placement evaluations while students are on placement is very useful for better understanding of what constitutes quality clinical education from the students' perspective to provide better educational experiences. Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the nursing students' satisfaction with their clinical placement experiences and the degree to which their experiences are regarded as positive. Methodology: A descriptive design was used for the purpose of the study at college of Nursing in the eastern region of Saudi Arabia. Students enrolled in clinical courses during 2010-2012 were included. Clinical placement evaluation form was used for data collection and students were asked to respond to three open ended questions asking them for the advantages and the disadvantages of each clinical placement and their suggestions for improvement. Results: The majority of the students (75.6%) agreed or strongly agreed with statements rating their satisfaction with the clinical placement. However, students were dissatisfied with short clinical exposures, staff nurses role and evaluation process from the clinical instructors.