Breastfeeding has various benefits for the mother and infant. It has the capability of reducing the risk of short term and long term problems for the infant, such as gastroenteritis, respiratory infections, type II diabetes and obesity, and of providing benefits for neurodevelopment. Breast milk offers even greater benefits for preterm infants. Some of the advantages of breastfeeding are related to the constituents of breast milk such as the macronutrients and bioactive factors, the hormones associated with breastfeeding such as oxytocin, and the behavioural aspects of breastfeeding (maternal sensitivity to infant cues). Despite these advantages, breastfeeding rates are below target levels mainly due to the challenges that women face that hinder breastfeeding success. Interventions aimed at improving policies, practices, and maternal support have been developed. However, other interventions that target specific modifiable barriers to breastfeeding can be useful. The aim of this study is to investigate a simple support intervention for breastfeeding mothers of late preterm and early term infants on maternal stress reduction and infant weight gain. The investigators also aim to study the potential mechanisms by which this effect could be achieved (breast milk composition and volume, mother and infant behaviour).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
72
12-minute simple technique
Royal Free Hospital
London, United Kingdom
Maternal stress change at 6 weeks from 2 weeks post-delivery.
Stress will be measured using the Perceived Stress Scale (0 to 40 points), where higher scores indicate a higher level of perceived stress.
Time frame: Home visit 1 (2 weeks postnatally) and Home visit 2 (6 weeks postnatally)
Infant weight change at 6 weeks from 2 weeks post-delivery.
Infant weight (kg) will be measured using an infant weighing scale.
Time frame: Home visit 1 (2 weeks postnatally) and Home visit 2 (6 weeks postnatally)
Breast milk composition (macronutrients) change at 6 weeks from 2 weeks post-delivery.
Breast milk samples will be collected at 2 and 6 weeks post-delivery. Fat, protein and carbohydrate content of breast milk (g/100 ml) will be analysed using the Miris- Human Milk Analyser.
Time frame: Home visit 1 (2 weeks postnatally) and Home visit 2 (6 weeks postnatally)
Breast milk hormones change at 6 weeks from 2 weeks post-delivery.
Breast milk samples will be collected at 2 and 6 weeks post-delivery. Ghrelin, leptin, adiponectin and cortisol will be analysed (ng/ml) using the respective ELISA kits.
Time frame: Home visit 1 (2 weeks postnatally) and Home visit 2 (6 weeks postnatally)
Breast milk volume change at 6 weeks from 2 weeks post-delivery.
Breast milk volume (ml) will be assessed using 48-hour test weighing
Time frame: Home visit 1 (2 weeks postnatally) and Home visit 2 (6 weeks postnatally)
Infant behaviour change at 6 weeks from 2 weeks post-delivery.
Time spent crying and sleeping (minutes) will be measured using a 3-day behaviour diary
Time frame: Home visit 1 (2 weeks postnatally) and Home visit 2 (6 weeks postnatally)
Infant appetite change at 6 weeks from 2 weeks post-delivery.
Infant appetite will be assessed using the Baby Eating Behaviour Questionnaire, with the following subscales (appetite traits): General Appetite (1 to 5 points), Enjoyment of Food (1 to 5 points), Satiety Responsiveness (1 to 5 points), Food Responsiveness (1 to 5 points), and Slowness in Eating (1 to 5 points). Higher scores on each subscale indicates a greater degree of the appetite trait.
Time frame: Home visit 1 (2 weeks postnatally) and Home visit 2 (6 weeks postnatally)
Mother-infant attachment change at 6 weeks from 2 weeks post-delivery.
The extent of bonding between the mother and infant will be assessed using the Maternal Attachment Inventory (0-78 points)
Time frame: Home visit 1 (2 weeks postnatally) and Home visit 2 (6 weeks postnatally)
Exclusive Breastfeeding Status
Participants will be asked whether they are still exclusively breastfeeding their infants at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months postnatally to assess breastfeeding status.
Time frame: 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months postnatally
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