The purpose of this study was to clarify the effects of the use of a cushion during breastfeeding on the mother's body, by analyzing her muscle activity and subjective strength while breastfeeding with and without a cushion.
Participants in this study were 20 mothers who gave consent for participation in the study and their children. The measurements were conducted with the approval of the Tokyo International University Ethics Committee (Approval No. 23-2). The mothers were in their 20s to 40s, and their infants ranged in age from 1 to 6 months. The measurement task was cradle hold breastfeeding with and without a cushion. The measurement items were (1) upper limb and trunk electromyography (EMG) and (2) subjective rating of strength using a modified Borg scale during breastfeeding. A Delsys Trigno Wireless EMG System was used as the myoelectric measurement device. Breastfeeding measurements were performed with the mother-child pair in a separate room from the person performing the measurements, with the assistance of a midwife for adjusting the cradle hold breastfeeding position and setting the cushion.
EMG measurements were performed twice, with and without the cushion, for 30 seconds under each condition. After the measurements were made, the mothers’ perceived fatigue intensity was assessed on a modified Borg scale via an interview. All obtained EMG data were smoothed by the root-mean-square approach using data processing software. Statistical comparisons of the percentage of maximum voluntary contraction (% MVC) of each muscle with/without the cushion were performed by the Wilcoxon signed-rank test using IBM SPSS Statistics software (p0.05).
The study participants were 20 mothers and 20 infants. Comparing muscle activity with and without the cushion, muscle activity of both biceps, ulnar carpal flexors on the non-head side, and erector spinae on the infant head side was significantly decreased when the cushion was used (p 0.05). The Borg scale showed values of 1~10 when the cushion was not used and 0~3 when the cushion was used.
When cradle hold breastfeeding, the action of holding the baby while breastfeeding requires activity of not only the upper limbs, but also the back muscles. This suggests that the use of a cushion, by supporting the weight of the infant, reduces maternal muscle activity in the upper limbs as well as the thoracic and lumbar regions, thus potentially reducing back pain.
Applying evidence-based physical therapy guidance during the child-rearing years can provide support during child rearing and relief from anxiety.
electromyography
back pain
