“Analgesic effect of breastfeeding vs. skin to skin contact on pain related to heel prick in neonates” Bala Gurneet Kaur1,*, Rawat H.C.2, Sethi Gurmeet3,* 1Lecturer M M. College of Nursing MMU Mullana, Ambala Haryana 2Professor cum Vice-Principal, University College of Nursing, Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot 3Professor & Head, GGS Medicla college & Hospital Faridkot Punjab *Address for Correspondence: Gurneet Kaur Bala Lecturer, M M. College of Nursing MMU Mullana, Ambala Haryana. e-mail: gurneetbala@yahoo.co.in Mobile: 98962–79529
Online published on 29 November, 2017. Abstract Introduction Invasive procedures in pediatric nursing practices require meticulous pain management intervention. Drugs and distraction are investigated by the several investigators; however, there is scanty international and national literature on the analgesic effect of the breastfeeding vs. skin to skin contact among neonates. Objective To compare the analgesic effect of breastfeeding Vs skin-to-skin contact in neonates undergoing heel prick procedure. Material and Methods Quasi-experimental study was conducted on 72 neonates admitted in Pediatric and Obstetrics departments of Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and Hospital, Faridkot, Punjab from Dec 2010 to Jan 2011. 36 neonates for breastfeeding, 36 for skin-to-skin contact group were selected purposively. Socio-demographic data, heart rate renormalization time (pulse oximeter), duration of cry, and Pain (video recording) measured by FLACC Pain scale in response to heel prick was collected (pre-intervention). Post-intervention assessment (breastfeeding/skin to skin contact) was done and study parameters assessed again. Results Findings of the study revealed that the Analgesic effect of both the interventions, breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact, on level of pain were statistically significant (p<0.001). Less heart rate variability was seen in post-intervention assessment of both the groups (lesser in skin to skin contact group). High reduction in heart rate renormalization time and pain in skin-to-skin contact group and less duration of cry in breastfeeding group was found. Statistically non-significant difference was found between the analgesic effect of breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact group. Conclusion Both interventions, Breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact, are equally effective in reducing the pain related to heel prick in neonates and both can be used safely and effectively in the clinical setting. Top Keywords breast feeding & skin to skin contact, heart rate, duration of cry, pain, heel prick. Top |