Mother and Late Preterm Lactation Study (v1.0 24/07/2018)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A Randomised Trial Testing the Effectiveness of a Relaxation Therapy on Maternal Psychological State, Breast Milk Profile, Mother-Infant Attachment, and Infant Behaviour and Growth
IRAS ID
252031
Contact name
Mary Fewtrell
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
GOSH/UCL institute of Child Health
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 10 months, 25 days
Research summary
Breast milk is a source of unparalleled nutrition that can also provide protective benefits for lactating mothers. The above is especially true for preterm infants who are at higher risk of morbidity and mortality, and to whom breast milk has even greater benefits on the short and long term. However, breastfeeding rates are universally suboptimal mainly due to the challenges that women face that hinder breastfeeding success. Interventions are therefore needed to support breastfeeding mothers to improve maternal, breastfeeding and infant outcomes. In our previous research, maternal psychological state was manipulated using relaxation therapy in 58 Malaysian mothers breastfeeding their full-term infant. The therapy was effective in reducing maternal stress during lactation, favourably affecting breast milk composition (higher fat/energy and higher total carbohydrate) and positively influencing infant sleeping behaviour and growth.\n\nThe current study will investigate whether the use of a relaxation intervention (meditation tape) improves breastfeeding and infant outcomes in mothers who are breastfeeding their late preterm infant (LPI; born at 34-<37 weeks); a group which makes up approximately 6-7% of live births. Each mother will be randomly allocated to the intervention group where she will receive a relaxation therapy or control group where standard care is given. Mothers will not be told about the assignment until the end of the study. The outcomes studied will include: maternal stress and depression, mother-infant attachment, breastfeeding status, breast milk macronutrient composition, breast milk ghrelin, leptin and adiponectin concentration, infant behaviour (feeding, crying and sleep) and growth at weeks 1-2 and 5-6 post-delivery. \n
REC name
London - Camden & Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/LO/1835
Date of REC Opinion
28 Nov 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion