Postnatal Unit Bassinet Types When Rooming-In After Cesarean Section Birth: Implications for Breastfeeding and Infant Safety

Tully, K.P.; Ball, H.L.

Abstract

Background: Postnatal unit rooming-in promotes breastfeeding. Previous research indicates that side-cars (3-sided bassinets that lock onto the maternal bed frame) facilitate breastfeeding after vaginal birth more than stand-alone bassinets (standard rooming-in). No study has previously investigated side-car bassinet use after cesarean, despite the constraints on maternal-infant interactions that are inherent in recovery from this birth mode. Objective: To test the effect of the side-car bassinet on postnatal unit breastfeeding frequency and other maternal-infant behaviors compared to a stand-alone bassinet following cesarean birth. Methods: Participants were recruited and prenatally randomized to receive the side-car or stand-alone bassinet for their postnatal unit stay between January 2007 and March 2009 in northeastern England. Mother-infant interactions were filmed over the second postpartum night. Participants completed face-to-face interviews before and after filming. The main outcome measures were infant location, bassinet acceptability, and breastfeeding frequency. Other outcomes assessed were breastfeeding effort, maternal-infant contact, sleep states, midwife presence, and infant risk. Results: Differences in breastfeeding frequency, maternal-infant sleep overlap, and midwife presence were not statistically significant. The 20 dyads allocated to side-car bassinets breastfed a median of 0.6 bouts/ hour compared to 0.4 bouts/hour for the 15 stand-alone bassinet dyads. Participants expressed overwhelming preference for the side-car bassinets. Bed sharing was equivalent between the groups, although the motivation for this practice may have differed. Infant handling was compromised with stand-alone bassinet use, including infants positioned on pillows while bed sharing with their sleeping mothers. Conclusions: Women preferred the side-car, but differences in breastfeeding frequency were not statistically significant. More infant risks were observed with stand-alone bassinet use.

Citation

Tully, K., & Ball, H. (2012). Postnatal Unit Bassinet Types When Rooming-In After Cesarean Section Birth: Implications for Breastfeeding and Infant Safety. Journal of Human Lactation, 28(4), 495-505. https://doi.org/10.1177/0890334412452932

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 5, 2012
• Online Publication Date: Aug 22, 2012
• Publication Date: Nov 1, 2012
• Deposit Date: Aug 29, 2012
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 10, 2018
• Journal: Journal of Human Lactation
• Print ISSN: 0890-3344
• Electronic ISSN: 1552-5732
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 28
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 495-505
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0890334412452932
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1497338