A quasi-experimental study to compare effectiveness of a breastfeeding arm sling with normal breastfeeding cross-cradle hold position

Breastfeeding has many benefits for the newborn and mother therefore, the World Health Organization guidelines recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months, with continued breastfeeding for up to two years. However, exclusive breastfeeding rates in the first 6 months in Thailand were reported to be approximately, 14% in 2019. Research has highlighted that many mothers have a lack of belief in their ability to breastfeed, and some physical conditions, such as tiredness and difficulty continually holding their baby in a comfortable position. Additionally, first-time breastfeeding can contribute to mothers having difficulties breastfeeding during the early postnatal period. Therefore, the Arm sling innovation (device) has been designed to provide support and comfort whilst holding the newborn. This study compared the effectiveness of the breastfeeding arm sling innovation to support breastfeeding in cross-cradle hold position and normal cross-cradle hold position breastfeeding in first-time mothers. A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest research design was used to evaluate the effectiveness of breastfeeding before and after the intervention among first-time mothers in the postnatal unit, at Ramathibodi hospital, Thailand. A total of 46 postpartum mothers participated in the study. The results showed that the effectiveness of breastfeeding reported by mothers between using a normal cross-cradle hold position and using breastfeeding arm sling innovation was statistically significantly different (t = 4.32, P < 0.001) with helping to hold the baby securely without slipping (t=5.68, p<0.001) and mothers can continue to breastfeed (t=2.09, p <0.001). Majority of mothers were satisfied with the support of using the breastfeeding arm sling innovation design. The breastfeeding arm sling innovation contributes to the effectiveness of breastfeeding by assisting and supporting the mother and babys position to breastfeed more comfortably, thus assisting first-time mothers to feel comfortable, confident, and able to continue breastfeeding.