Portable neonatal sleep spaces to support optimal breastfeeding, close care and safe sleep in postnatal wards: a pilot

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Safe infant sleeping; breastfeeding; maternal-infant attachment; Reproductive Health and Childbirth - Breast feeding; Reproductive Health and Childbirth - Childbirth and postnatal care

• Registration Number: ACTRN12617000805370
• Lead Sponsor: Sunshine Coast University Hospital

Brief Summary

This pilot study aimed to determine the acceptability and feasibility of two novel infant sleep spaces for newborns devised to promote closeness and consistency with safe sleeping recommendations within the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service (SCHHS) maternity unit. Impact upon breastfeeding outcomes and maternal-infant attachment were monitored to inform the development of a larger trial. The study utilised a concurrent mixed methods design with a pilot observational descriptive and randomised controlled design. The trial was conducted in three phases: 1) pilot of the study protocol with mothers and babies (Phase 1 and 2), and 2) evaluation of staff perceptions relating to impact of the safe sleep enablers on provision of care, and awareness of safe sleeping recommendations (Phase 3). The trial is in the preliminary analysis phase, however results to date show that the study cots give mothers more opportunities and choices to care for their baby than the standard newborn cots. Bed sharing is common both in hospital and in the community. Midwives do provide essential SUDI prevention education; however some do not emphasise the importance of childhood immunisations and the risks associated with sleeping an infant with an adult on the sofa. Breastfeeding rates were well above the national average by 4 months of age. No adverse events were reported during the course of this trial.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Results First Posted: 1900-01-01
• Study Start: 2017-06-01
• Study Completion: 2018-12-05
• Last Update Posted: 15 July 2019

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Sex: Female
• Target Recruitment: 94

Inclusion Criteria

Maternal participants
-greater than or equal to 36 weeks of gestation at time of consent
-Attending the SCUH for antenatal care
-Intending to be admitted to the postnatal ward at the SCUH after the birth
-English speaking
-Intending to breastfeed
-Singleton pregnancy
-BMI less than 40
-greater than or equal to 15 years of age
-Ability to read and understand English

Exclusion Criteria

-less than 36 weeks of gestation at time of consent
-Maternal condition which significantly interferes with breastfeeding
-Intending to feed infant with artificial formula
-Maternal BMI greater than or equal to 40
-less than 15 years of age
-Multiple pregnancy
-Newborn admitted to SCN or NICU immediately after birth
-Neonate requiring phototherapy with or without CPAP
-Inability to read and understand English

Study & Design

• Study Type: Interventional
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Maternal acceptability of infant sleep spaces; assessed by Questionnaire (author developed)[Prior to discharge if hospital birth ?within 1-3 days post birth for vaginal deliveries and within 3-5 days post birth for caesarean deliveries)];Staff perspectives of protocol feasibility in postnatal environment; assessed by Questionnaire (author developed)[at 16-20 weeks post study commencement]