Embodiments of the invention include systems and methods related to respiratory support delivered to infants using limited-leak cannulas. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of providing respiratory support to an infant. The method can include attaching a limited-leak cannula having prongs to an inspiratory port of a ventilator with connection tubing. The method can include selecting an operations mode on the ventilator that is specific for unidirectional flow limited-leak cannula use. The method can include initiating a calibration procedure with the prongs of the cannula freely exposed. The calibration procedure can include measuring the flow rate of gas through the connection tubing at a set pressure. The method can include setting monitoring parameters on the ventilator, initiating respiratory support by inserting the cannula prongs into the nares of the infant, and continuously monitoring the flow rate of gas through the limited-leak cannula. Other embodiments are also included herein.
