Nynnamm - Effects of Infant Directed Singing on Breastfeeding Difficulties

Breastfeeding is one of the most effective, health economical interventions to promote health and reduce illness in both mothers and children. However, breastfeeding in Sweden is under threat. An increasing number of newborns will miss out on its benefits because lack of lactation support for mothers with breastfeeding difficulties, which is the main reasons for breastfeeding cessation. About 110,000 mothers breastfeed every year but the prevalence is decreasing. Many mothers are dissatisfied with the support they receive from health care. Maternal infant-directed singing could be an effective, person- and family-centered, cost-effective, self-care intervention to reduce stress and breastfeeding difficulties in new mothers as well as increasing oxytocin, which is an important hormone for lactation and well-being. This project evaluates the effect of a self-care intervention involving maternal infant-directed singing during breastfeeding on maternal stress, experiences, and breastfeeding rates up to six months postpartum among mothers with breastfeeding difficulties. The mothers are randomized to standard care and infant-directed singing or control with standard care. The primary outcome is the proportion of breastfeeding four weeks after the intervention. 260 mothers will be included in the project, which will be conducted during 2024-2025, and data will be analyzed and presented in 2026. A data management plan will ensure that all research activities are well organized.