The application of relaxation for mothers expressing breast milk for their infant in the neonatal unit: A feasibility study and clinical research portfolio

Brown, Alison (2017) The application of relaxation for mothers expressing breast milk for their infant in the neonatal unit: A feasibility study and clinical research portfolio. D Clin Psy thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Objective: Is it feasible to recruit mothers with infants in a neonatal unit (NNU) to engage in 14 days of data collection and use of relaxation?
Background: In a NNU mothers may express breast milk for their infant. The NNU has specific stressors, which may impact on emotional wellbeing and ability to provide expressed milk. Relaxation significantly increased the quantity of expressed milk for American mothers. This has not been replicated in the UK, where rates of breastfeeding are low, therefore a feasibility study is needed.
Method: A random allocation (treatment as usual vs relaxation), repeated measures design was used. Mothers providing expressed milk were eligible to participate. If mothers chose not to participate their reasons were recorded. Mothers accessed relaxation through a MP3 or personal CD. Mothers completed expression logs (14 days), Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, and Parental Stressor Scale: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (day 1,7 and 14). Mothers answered questions about their use of relaxation after 14 days.
Results: 192 mothers were eligible to participate. Fifteen mothers were recruited (Relaxation n=8, TAU n=7) in 6 months. One dropped out from each group. Not having enough time was the most commonly reported reason for not participating. 100% (n=7) of mothers who used relaxation would recommend it to other mothers. Only 28% (n=2) believed the practice helped them feed their infant. Mothers reported the intervention could be improved by making better use of technology. Due to a small sample no inferential statistics could be completed on milk or emotional wellbeing data.
Conclusions: Due to the importance mothers placed on their time, the accessibility of research information and relaxation are discussed. Suggestions of how to reduce barriers in future research, which could determine if relaxation supports mothers’ emotional wellbeing and milk production, are made.

• Item Type: Thesis (D Clin Psy)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Keywords: Relaxation, mother, expressing, well-being, neonatal unit.
• Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
• Colleges/Schools: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing
• Supervisor's Name: Jackson, Dr. Alison and Burns, Dr. Joan
• Date of Award: 2017
• Depositing User: Alison Brown
• Unique ID: glathesis:2017-8398
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 25 Sep 2017 13:16
• Last Modified: 05 Jan 2018 14:37
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/8398