Comparison of Cradle Hold Versus Football Hold Breastfeeding Positions after Cesarean Section in Primiparous Mothers

Objective: To compare cradle hold and football hold breastfeeding positions in terms of their effects on incision pain, breastfeeding success, and patient satisfaction among primiparous breastfeeding women after cesarean section. Materials and Methods: Sixty-seven breastfeeding primiparous women who underwent cesarean section were included in this crossover study. The women were instructed to use two different breastfeeding positions sequentially and change in pain intensity before and after each session were questioned. At the end of each session breastfeeding success (using LATCH breastfeeding charting system) and maternal satisfaction were assessed. In addition, mother's most preferred position was asked at the time of discharge. Results: A statistically significant increase was found in incisional pain score after breastfeeding with cradle hold position (p < 0.001), whereas no such change was observed in association with football hold position (p = 1.000). In contrast, total LATCH score was significantly better with cradle hold position when compared with football hold position (8.7 ± 1.1 versus 8.0 ± 1.1, respectively; p < 0.001). The two positions were similar in terms of maternal satisfaction scores (p = 0.082). Majority of the mothers (74.6%) preferred cradle hold position at the time of discharge. Conclusions: Although cradle hold position was associated with increased incision pain, it provided better breastfeeding experience and was more commonly preferred, which may be attributed to lesser familiarity with the latter position. Prenatal training should be provided to mothers on all breastfeeding positions. Further studies with larger sample size are warranted to better understand the relationships between incision pain after cesarean section, breastfeeding positions, and breastfeeding success.