Preterm babies have immature lungs and frequent pauses in their breathing which often necessitates breathing support. Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (nCPAP) is one of the most commonly used tools, but does not always provide enough support. A new option is non-invasive high frequency ventilation (NIHFV), which gently shakes the lungs to help with gas exchange and may decrease a baby's work of breathing. The investigators plan to study very low birth weight preterm babies who are generally well but require some support with their breathing. By inserting a special feeding tube with sensors into the stomach, the investigators can measure the electrical activity of the diaphragm (EAdi), which is an important muscle for breathing. By analyzing EAdi in babies receiving either nCPAP or NIHFV, the investigators will be able to measure and compare how each method of support affects a baby's breathing. This important study will help us determine the most appropriate breathing support for preterm babies.
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The primary outcome will be the difference in the peak electrical activity of the diaphragm between nCPAP and NIHFV.
Timeframe: 4 hours