Efficacy of Breastfeeding on Babies' Pain During Vaccinations

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this randomized controlled experimental study was to evaluate the effect of breastfeeding on the pain of babies during vaccination.

Materials and methods: The sample of the study consisted of 100 babies who complied with the sampling criteria between July and November 2012. The babies breastfed from their mothers 5 minutes before, during, and after the vaccine injections. The Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS), duration of crying, heart rate, and oxygen saturation were evaluated before, during, and after the vaccine injections. Data were evaluated by descriptive statistics, chi-square, Cronbach's alpha consistency coefficient, independent sample t-test, and Mann-Whitney U test.

Results: The babies in the control group experienced severe pain and the babies in the breastfeeding group felt moderate pain during the vaccine injections (p < 0.05). The NIPS score of the babies in the breastfeeding group was lower than the control group during the vaccine injections. The breastfeeding group spent less time crying, and had lower heart rates and higher oxygen saturation values during vaccine injections Conclusion: Breastfeeding prevented increased heart rates, duration of crying, NIPS, falling oxygen saturation, and reduced pain during the invasive procedures in newborns more than control group.

Keywords: breastfeeding; infant; pain; vaccination.