Efficacy of Breast Crawling on Breastfeeding Outcomes, Knowledge, Attitudes, and Anxiety Status After Term Vaginal Birth: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Breast crawl technique is a strategy for initiating breastfeeding immediately after delivery. This study evaluated the effects of breast crawl on neonatal feeding style, knowledge, attitudes, and anxiety levels of breastfeeding through a single-center randomized controlled trial. A total of 295 mother-infant pairs were recruited and randomly divided into the breast crawl group (n = 149) and the conventional skin-to-skin contact group (n = 146). Compared with the conventional skin-to-skin contact group, the breast crawl group had higher rates of exclusive breastfeeding at 24 h (65.1% vs. 15.8%, p < 0.001), day 3 (58.4% vs. 24.7%, p = 0.005), month 1 (57.7% vs. 45.9%, p = 0.025), and month 6 (47.0% vs. 11.6%, p < 0.001), higher BAT scores (11.00 vs. 9.00, p = 0.001), higher success rates of first breastfeeding (93.3% vs. 82.9%, p = 0.006), shorter time for the onset of lactogenesis stage II (23.65 vs. 49.38, p < 0.001), more stable forehead skin temperature within 2 h of birth, and improved maternal anxiety (38.75 vs 41.88, p < 0.001) and breastfeeding attitudes (59.00 vs. 57.00, p < 0.032) on the first day postpartum. There was no statistically significant difference in breastfeeding knowledge (89.00 vs. 89.00, p < 0.909) between the two groups on the first day postpartum. This study demonstrated that breast crawling has a positive effect on increasing exclusive breastfeeding rates and neonatal thermoregulation, reducing maternal anxiety levels, and improving feeding attitudes.

Trial Registration

ChiCTR2500099756.