Comparative Study of Cradle Hold vs. Football Hold on Maternal Comfort and Breastfeeding Success among Post-Caesarean Mothers

Background

Breastfeeding position technique is very important concerning maternal comfort and infant feeding practice, especially among mothers who gave birth via caesarean section. Although there are many breastfeeding positions, little is known concerning comparisons among them regarding their efficiency in mothers who gave birth via caesarean section. The aim of this study is to determine and compare the efficiency of breastfeeding positions known as cradle holds and football holds concerning mothers' comfort and infant feeding practice after giving birth via caesarean section. Hence, the present study is planned to evaluate mothers' comfort and infant feeding practices in two different breastfeeding positions namely cradle holds and football holds among mothers who gave birth via caesarean section.

Materials and Methods

A quasi-experimental, non-randomized comparative study was conducted among 80 post-caesarean mothers at a tertiary care hospital in Vadodara, Gujarat. Participants were selected using purposive sampling and alternately allocated to either the cradle hold group (n=40) or the football hold group (n=40). Maternal comfort was assessed using a Visual Analog Scale, and infant feeding behaviour was evaluated using the Infant Breastfeeding Assessment Tool at 48 hr postpartum.

Results

A preliminary analysis of the data indicates that the cradle hold position provided greater maternal comfort (less pain/discomfort) when compared to the football hold position, especially during the first 48 hr following childbirth. In addition, the infants in the cradle hold position had a better latch as well as a more consistent pattern of sucking. However, the cradle hold position was linked to greater satisfaction with the position that was easy to assume with regard to overall comfort, especially after the first 48 hr.

Conclusion

Both the cradle hold position as well as the football hold position are acceptable modes of breastfeeding for a new mother. Though, the cradle hold position may be a superior position for providing greater maternal comfort, especially when incisions are involved, for a new mother undergoing a cesarean section. Future studies must be carried out to draw a definitive conclusion for breastfeeding positions for a new cesarean-section baby.