Conflito de interesses: inexistente difficulties 1,2 due to the effect of prematurity, low birth weight and clinical conditions on the feeding process.Speech and hearing therapy in the neonatal period is focused on aspects of feeding, the development of hearing and language and mother-infant interactions. The aim of assisting in the feeding process is to promote healthy, efficient feeding in terms of nutrition, weight gain and the mother-infant bond and minimize the risk of aspiration and stress 1,3,4 . This therapy should include an evaluation, the early detection of uncoordinated sucking-swallowingbreathing and deficient or absent reflexes of the oral motor sensory system, orientation of the neonatal team regarding feeding issues, stimulation of the oral motor sensory system, outpatient follow up and the encouragement of breastfeeding 5 . The aim of motor sensory stimulation is to facilitate the dietary transition and speed up discharge from hospital in cases of intubation or prolonged use of a feeding ABSTRACT Purpose: the aim of the present study was to characterize the demand for speech therapy among newborns with oral feeding difficulties at a neonatal unit of a public teaching school. Methods: a descriptive, retrospective, cross-sectional study was carried out using data obtained from all charts of newborns interned between March 2008 and February 2010 who received at least one speech/ hearing evaluation/intervention. Results: two hundred five newborns were treated in the study period, 104 of whom met the inclusion criteria. The sample was predominantly male, composed of premature newborns with adequate gestational age (mean: 36 weeks) and low birth weight. The most frequent diagnoses were respiratory disorder, jaundice and cardiovascular disorder. The following were the predominant reasons for requesting an evaluation by a speech therapist: abnormal oral motor behavior, evaluation of readiness for oral feeding and difficulties using a cup. Most evaluations were requested by residents when the newborns had a mean of 28 days of life. A broader set of criteria was used by the team requesting a speech therapy evaluation in comparison to criteria described in the literature. Conclusion: the majority of newborns receive oral feeding without a prior evaluation by a speech therapist, which can lead to situations of risk with regard to safe, efficient feeding.