Effects of Music Therapy on Breastfeeding Among Mothers of Premature Newborns

A Randomized Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Effects of Music Therapy on Breastfeeding Rates Among Mothers of Premature Newborns

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of music therapy on breastfeeding rates among mothers of premature newborns.

Hypothesis: Music therapy applied to mothers of premature newborns increases the rates of maternal breastfeeding at the time of the infant hospital discharge and at follow-up visits.

Music therapy has been shown to have positive effects in several areas such as mental health, special education, rehabilitation and social development. Its use as a means to facilitate communication and expression of emotional contents was shown to be able to promote relief of anxiety, fears and tensions. However, in the maternal and child health area there are still few studies demonstrating the contribution of this therapy in the promotion of health and no study evaluating specifically the impact of this intervention on the rates of breastfeeding in mothers of premature newborns.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Mothers of premature newborns, with birth weight ≤ 1750 g that have reached clinical stability defined by the medical staff.
• To have signed an informed consent to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Mothers that are HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) positive.
• Mothers of neonates with clinical problems that impaired breast suction (encephalopathy with serious hypotonus, oro-facial anomalies, and heart problems).
• Mothers with severe hearing deficiencies.

Exit Criteria:

• Mothers whose neonates died during the hospital stay.
• Mothers who, for any reason, had three or less music therapy sessions.