Effects of home phototherapy on new mothers’ emotional experiences: A systematic review

Abstract

Phototherapy is a commonly used treatment for neonatal jaundice, and home-based phototherapy (HPT) is now increasingly used as an option for new mothers and families, as validated by the American Academy of Pediatrics starting in 2004. While the existing published studies have focused on the efficacy of HPT and its ability to reduce hospitalization costs, this systematic review aims to analyze new mothers’ emotional experiences of HPT, focusing on satisfaction with the treatment, infant bonding, stress level, and breastfeeding. No high-quality, limited qualitative and quantitative studies demonstrate that HPT emotional experiences are positive amongst mothers and parents. Because HPT enables mothers and their infants to remain at home during treatment, they receive increased family support, greater mother-infant bonding, and increased opportunities for breastfeeding, while also reducing stress.