Prevention of nipple problems in primipara breastfeeding mothers: A pilot study

Abstract

Methods: This research was planned as an experimental design for the purpose of comparing the effectiveness of mother's milk (n=35), tea compress (n=35) and warm moist compress (n=35) on the prevention of nipple problems in primipara breastfeeding women. The research was conducted between October 1, 2006, and October 30, 2007, at two hospitals in Izmir, Turkey. Results: The majority (67.6%) of the mothers was in the 20-25 year old age group, 47.6% had a primary school education, and 89.4% were housewives. Immediately after delivery 9.5% of the mothers were given their infants to hold. Almost all of the mothers (97.1%) gave their infants their first feeding with mother's milk and 11.5% breastfeed their infants within the first half hour. It was determined that there were fewer nipple problems in the warm moist compress group on the 6th and 7th day compared to the mother's milk and tea compress groups. There was less nipple pain in the warm moist application to the nipple than in the mother's milk and warm moist tea compress groups. During the first 14 days after delivery 54.3% of the mothers in the tea compress group, 42.9% of the mothers in the warm moist compress group, and 51.4% of the mothers in the mother's milk group experienced nipple cracking. Conclusion: Because warm moist compress were effective, are easy to apply and economical it is recommended that they be used for the prevention of nipple pain.