Comparison of Breast-Feeding Positions Related to Neck Pain Among Lactating Mothers

BACKGROUND: Mothers are advised to use the cradle hold and cross-cradle hold positions for breastfeeding (BF) for the benefit of both mother and child. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the breastfeeding positions (cross-cradle hold and cradle hold) related to musculoskeletal neck pain among lactating mothers METHODOLOGY: This comparative cross-sectional study was carried out at Imran Idress Institute of Rehabilitation Sciences, Sialkot from January 2023. A convenient sampling technique was used. The data was collected from 204 lactating mothers of aged 18-40 years. Self-structured section of the questionnaire comprised of demographic and breastfeeding-related features from lactating mothers and Numeric pain rating scale were used to compare the breastfeeding position and musculoskeletal neck pain among lactating mothers. SPSS version 22 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: The results of this study indicated that the mean age of lactating mothers among participants of group A was 29.83yr± 3.78 and in group B was 28.61yr± 4.76 Independent t-test showed a significant difference of p-value= 0.00 at significance level 0.05 respectively Comparing the means of both groups, lactating mothers with cradle hold Breast feeding position-related MSK neck pain (group A) were more affected than cross cradle hold BF position related MSK neck pain (group B). CONCLUSION: This study concluded that MSK neck pain was more affected in cross cradle hold breastfeeding position than the cradle holds breastfeeding position KEYWORDS: Breast feeding, Cross Cradle, Neck Pain, Lactating Mother