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. 2024 Aug 2:8.
doi: 10.18332/ejm/191253. eCollection 2024.

Comparing the effectiveness of a breastfeeding arm sling with the normal cross-cradle hold position: A quasi-experimental study in Thailand

Pornsri Disorntatiwat  1 , Sudjit Liblub  1 , Mary Steen  2
Affiliations

Comparing the effectiveness of a breastfeeding arm sling with the normal cross-cradle hold position: A quasi-experimental study in Thailand

Pornsri Disorntatiwat et al. Eur J Midwifery. .

Abstract

Introduction: In Thailand, the exclusive breastfeeding rate remains low at 14% in 2019, despite the World Health Organization's recommendation of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months. Many mothers experience challenges such as lack of confidence, fatigue, and discomfort while breastfeeding. To address these issues, the novel arm sling innovation device was developed to provide support during breastfeeding. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of breastfeeding using the arm sling versus the normal cross-cradle hold among first-time mothers and to evaluate their satisfaction with the breastfeeding arm sling.

Methods: A quasi-experimental crossover design was employed in the postpartum unit at Ramathibodi Hospital, Thailand, in 2022. Forty-six first-time mothers breastfed using both a breastfeeding arm sling and the normal cross-cradle hold, with a washout period in between. Breastfeeding effectiveness was measured by mothers and nurse-midwives using questionnaires, and mothers' satisfaction with the sling was assessed. Data were evaluated using descriptive statistics and t-tests.

Results: The breastfeeding arm sling innovation significantly improved breastfeeding effectiveness compared to the normal cross-cradle hold, reported by both mothers (t=4.32, p<0.001) and nurse-midwives (t=8.93, p<0.001). Most mothers expressed satisfaction with the arm sling, though some design aspects, such as ease of use, require improvement.

Conclusions: This study suggests that the breastfeeding arm sling can potentially improve breastfeeding experiences for first-time mothers. Further research is needed on a larger scale and in more diverse settings to confirm these findings and to improve the sling's design for user-friendliness.

Keywords: breastfeeding; interventions; mothers; newborn; normal birth; postpartum.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have each completed and submitted an ICMJE form for Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest. The authors declare that they have no competing interests, financial or otherwise, related to the current work. The authors declare that they received a grant from Ramathibodi School of Nursing Research, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University. They also report that the grant covered basic invented equipment costs.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The experimental flowchart for the effectiveness of the breastfeeding arm sling in a postnatal unit of Ramathibodi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand, 2022
Figure 2
Figure 2
Breastfeeding arm sling innovation (above) and during use of the device (below) used in a postnatal unit of Ramathibodi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand, 2022
Figure 3
Figure 3
Recruitment flowchart for the evaluation of the effectiveness of the breastfeeding arm sling in a postnatal unit of Ramathibodi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand, 2022 (N=46)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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