Comparison 1. Comparison 1. Oral stimulation versus no intervention/standard care.

Outcome or subgroup title	No. of studies	No. of participants	Statistical method	Effect size
1 Days to full oral feeding	8	376	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐5.22 [‐6.86, ‐3.59]
2 Weight gain	2	81	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.73 [‐1.05, 2.51]
3 Total hospital stay (days)	7	301	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	‐5.26 [‐7.34, ‐3.19]
4 Duration (days) of parenteral nutrition	1	19	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	‐5.30 [‐9.73, ‐0.87]
5 Exclusive direct breast feeding at discharge	1	59	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.83 [0.96, 3.48]
6 Any direct breast feeding at discharge	2	110	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	1.24 [0.58, 2.66]