Abstract
Background and aim: Appropriate positioning is crucial to successful breastfeeding and its continuation. Positioning can create, prevent, or correct breastfeeding problems. This study aimed to determine and compare the effects of both the laid-back and cradle positions upon the breastfeeding experiences of primiparous (cisgender) women. Methods: A parallel randomized clinical trial was conducted with a sample of primiparous women (n = 168) with a gestational age of between 31 and 34 weeks, referring to the perinatal clinic of Shahid Gharazi Hospital in Malayer (Hamadan Province, Iran). Participants were recruited via convenience sampling and allocated to one of two groups: intervention (laid-back position) (n = 85) and control (cradle position) (n = 83) using the random block method. Breastfeeding education was given to both groups during two sessions (weeks 31–34 and 35-–37 of pregnancy) by “baby-friendly” accredited hospitals in Iran. The intervention group was instructed on how to breastfeed using the laid-back position. The control group was instructed on how to breastfeed using the cradle position. In the immediate postnatal period, breastfeeding positions were assessed in both groups. Breastfeeding experiences were measured once at the time of participants returning home and again at both 1 week and 2 weeks following birth, using the breastfeeding experience scale. Data analysis was undertaken using the SPSS software version 21. A value of P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: No statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of concerns relating to participants nor their breasts, milk insufficiency, neonate, process, or breastfeeding experience at any time point measured. The means (SDs) of breastfeeding experience at the time of discharge, 1 week, and 2 weeks after childbirth in intervention group were 26.07 (4.533), 26.85 (3.812), and 26.65 (4.632) respectively. The means (SDs) of breastfeeding experience at the time of discharge, 1 week, and 2 weeks after childbirth in control group were 25.42 (3.315), 26.68 (3.872), and 25.41 (4.05) respectively. Conclusion: There is no difference in breastfeeding experiences whether the laid-back or cradle position is used. Thus, broader education on breastfeeding and the provision of comprehensive support may be more effective in optimizing one’s experience of breastfeeding. Trial registration: Registration date: 2021 July 21, Code: IRCT20180427039436N10, https://irct.ir/user/trial/57054/view.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 109 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Trials |
Volume | 24 |
Issue number | 1 |
Early online date | 13 Feb 2023 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Dec 2023 |
Bibliographical note
Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article's Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article's Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder.Funder
This research was funded by the research grant no. IR.IUMS.REC.1400.297 from Iran University of Medical Sciences and registered to Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT) center with code: IRCT20180427039436N10.Keywords
- Laid-back position
- Cradle position
- Breastfeeding experience
- Breastfeeding positions
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Medicine (miscellaneous)
- Pharmacology (medical)