Breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact for pain relief of newborns during hepatitis B vaccination

Abstract

The objective was to compare the combination of skin-to-skin contact with breastfeeding, to skin-to-skin contact during hepatitis B vaccination in newborns. Randomized clinical trial with a sample of 55 full-term newborns divided between two groups, namely; skin-to-skin contact (GP, n = 38), and breastfeeding combined with skin-to-skin contact (GPA, n = 27). The pain of newborns was assessed by facial movements. The heart rate (HR) of all newborns was measured, as well as the suckling frequency of newborns in the GPA. There was a statistically significant difference in the periods of compression and recovery between the groups for the NFCS scores. The average values of HR were significantly higher in the GP during antisepsis/injection. The suckling in the GPA ranged between 10-28 suckles per minute. The breastfeeding combined with maternal skin-to-skin contact can enhance the analgesic effect of maternal skin-to-skin contact, contributing to a better recovery of newborns after the procedure.